Manufacturing Methods for Producing Anti-TNF Antibody Compositions

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods of manufacture for producing anti-TNF antibodies, e.g., the anti-TNF antibody golimumab, and specific pharmaceutical compositions of the antibody.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/219,901, filed 9 Jul. 2021. The entire contents of the aforementioned application are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY

This application contains a sequence listing, which is submitted electronically as an XML formatted sequence listing with a file name “JBI6004 SequenceListing.xml” and a creation date of Jun. 29, 2022 and having a size of 57 Kb. The sequence listing submitted via Patent Center is part of the specification and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods of manufacture for producing anti-TNF antibodies, e.g., the anti-TNF antibody golimumab, and specific pharmaceutical compositions of the antibody.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

TNF alpha is a soluble homotrimer of 17 kD protein subunits. A membrane-bound 26 kD precursor form of TNF also exists.

Cells other than monocytes or macrophages also produce TNF alpha. For example, human non-monocytic tumor cell lines produce TNF alpha and CD4+ and CD8+ peripheral blood T lymphocytes and some cultured T and B cell lines also produce TNF alpha.

TNF alpha causes pro-inflammatory actions which result in tissue injury, such as degradation of cartilage and bone, induction of adhesion molecules, inducing procoagulant activity on vascular endothelial cells, increasing the adherence of neutrophils and lymphocytes, and stimulating the release of platelet activating factor from macrophages, neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells.

TNF alpha has been associated with infections, immune disorders, neoplastic pathologies, autoimmune pathologies and graft-versus-host pathologies. The association of TNF alpha with cancer and infectious pathologies is often related to the host's catabolic state. Cancer patients suffer from weight loss, usually associated with anorexia.

The extensive wasting which is associated with cancer, and other diseases, is known as “cachexia”. Cachexia includes progressive weight loss, anorexia, and persistent erosion of lean body mass in response to a malignant growth. The cachectic state causes much cancer morbidity and mortality. There is evidence that TNF alpha is involved in cachexia in cancer, infectious pathology, and other catabolic states.

TNF alpha is believed to play a central role in gram-negative sepsis and endotoxic shock, including fever, malaise, anorexia, and cachexia. Endotoxin strongly activates monocyte/macrophage production and secretion of TNF alpha and other cytokines. TNF alpha and other monocyte-derived cytokines mediate the metabolic and neurohormonal responses to endotoxin. Endotoxin administration to human volunteers produces acute illness with flu-like symptoms including fever, tachycardia, increased metabolic rate and stress hormone release. Circulating TNF alpha increases in patients suffering from Gram-negative sepsis.

Thus, TNF alpha has been implicated in inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, viral, bacterial and parasitic infections, malignancies, and/or neurodegenerative diseases and is a useful target for specific biological therapy in diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. Beneficial effects in open-label trials with monoclonal antibodies to TNF alpha have been reported with suppression of inflammation and with successful retreatment after relapse in rheumatoid arthritis and in Crohn's disease. Beneficial results in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have also been reported in rheumatoid arthritis with suppression of inflammation.

Neutralizing antisera or mAbs to TNF have been shown in mammals other than man to abrogate adverse physiological changes and prevent death after lethal challenge in experimental endotoxemia and bacteremia. This effect has been demonstrated, e.g., in rodent lethality assays and in primate pathology model systems.

Putative receptor binding loci of hTNF has been disclosed and the receptor binding loci of TNF alpha as consisting of amino acids 11-13, 37-42, 49-57 and 155-157 of TNF have been disclosed.

Non-human mammalian, chimeric, polyclonal (e.g., anti-sera) and/or monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) and fragments (e.g., proteolytic digestion or fusion protein products thereof) are potential therapeutic agents that are being investigated in some cases to attempt to treat certain diseases. However, such antibodies or fragments can elicit an immune response when administered to humans. Such an immune response can result in an immune complex-mediated clearance of the antibodies or fragments from the circulation, and make repeated administration unsuitable for therapy, thereby reducing the therapeutic benefit to the patient and limiting the re-administration of the antibody or fragment. For example, repeated administration of antibodies or fragments comprising non-human portions can lead to serum sickness and/or anaphylaxis. In order to avoid these and other problems, a number of approaches have been taken to reduce the immunogenicity of such antibodies and portions thereof, including chimerization and humanization, as well known in the art. These and other approaches, however, still can result in antibodies or fragments having some immunogenicity, low affinity, low avidity, or with problems in cell culture, scale up, production, and/or low yields. Thus, such antibodies or fragments can be less than ideally suited for manufacture or use as therapeutic proteins.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide anti-TNF antibodies or fragments thereof for use as therapeutics for treatment of diseases mediated by TNF alpha.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general and preferred embodiments are defined, respectively, by the independent and dependent claims appended hereto, which for the sake of brevity are incorporated by reference herein. Other preferred embodiments, features, and advantages of the various aspects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description below taken in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, and wherein the anti-TNF antibodies are produced by a method of manufacture that controls the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies, the method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, and wherein the anti-TNF antibodies are a follow-on biologic and the anti-TNF antibodies are produced by a method of manufacture that controls the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies, the method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of manufacture for producing a drug substance (DS) or drug product (DP) comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, the method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of manufacture for producing a drug substance (DS) or drug product (DP) comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the anti-TNF antibodies are a follow-on biologic and wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, the method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of manufacture for producing a drug substance (DS) or drug product (DP) comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, the method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn2+ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu2+ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies, and wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper in the chemically defined medium are determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of manufacture for producing a drug substance (DS) or drug product (DP) comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, the method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies, and wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper in the chemically defined medium are controlled by supplementing the chemically defined medium with one or more sources of manganese and copper, wherein the one or more sources of manganese are selected from the group consisting of: MnCl₂, MnSO₄, MnF₂ and MnI₂ and the one or more sources of copper are selected from the group consisting of: CuSO₄, CuCl₂, and Cu(OAc)₂.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of manufacture for producing a drug substance (DS) or drug product (DP) comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, the method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies, and wherein the oligosaccharide species are determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of manufacture for producing a drug substance (DS) or drug product (DP) comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, the method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies, and wherein the eukaryotic cells are selected from the group consisting of: Chinese hamster vary cells (CHO cells), human retinal cells (PER.C6 cells), and mouse myeloma cells (NS0 cells and Sp2/0 cells).

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, and wherein the anti-TNF antibodies are produced by a method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the anti-TNF antibodies are a follow-on biologic and wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, and wherein the anti-TNF antibodies are produced by a method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, and wherein the anti-TNF antibodies are produced by a method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies, and wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper in the chemically defined medium are determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, and wherein the anti-TNF antibodies are produced by a method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies, and wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper in the chemically defined medium are controlled by supplementing the chemically defined medium with one or more sources of manganese and copper, wherein the one or more sources of manganese are selected from the group consisting of: MnCl₂, MnSO₄, MnF₂ and MnI₂ and the one or more sources of copper are selected from the group consisting of: CuSO₄, CuCl₂, and Cu(OAc)₂.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, and wherein the anti-TNF antibodies are produced by a method of manufacture comprising culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies, and wherein the oligosaccharide species are determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, and wherein the anti-TNF antibodies are produced by a method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies, and wherein the eukaryotic cells are selected from the group consisting of: Chinese hamster vary cells (CHO cells), human retinal cells (PER.C6 cells), and mouse myeloma cells (NS0 cells and Sp2/0 cells).

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a graphical representation showing an assay for ability of TNV mAbs in hybridoma cell supernatants to inhibit TNFα binding to recombinant TNF receptor. Varying amounts of hybridoma cell supernatants containing known amounts of TNV mAb were preincubated with a fixed concentration (5 ng/ml) of 125I-labeled TNFα. The mixture was transferred to 96-well Optiplates that had been previously coated with p55-sf2, a recombinant TNF receptor/IgG fusion protein. The amount of TNFα that bound to the p55 receptor in the presence of the mAbs was determined after washing away the unbound material and counting using a gamma counter. Although eight TNV mAb samples were tested in these experiments, for simplicity three of the mAbs that were shown by DNA sequence analyses to be identical to one of the other TNV mAbs are not shown here. Each sample was tested in duplicate. The results shown are representative of two independent experiments.

FIGS. 2A-B shows DNA sequences of the TNV mAb heavy chain variable regions. The germline gene shown is the DP-46 gene. ‘TNVs’ indicates that the sequence shown is the sequence of TNV14, TNV15, TNV148, and TNV196. The first three nucleotides in the TNV sequence define the translation initiation Met codon. Dots in the TNV mAb gene sequences indicate the nucleotide is the same as in the germline sequence. The first 19 nucleotides (underlined) of the TNV sequences correspond to the oligonucleotide used to PCR-amplify the variable region. An amino acid translation (single letter abbreviations) starting with the mature mAb is shown only for the germline gene. The three CDR domains in the germline amino acid translation are marked in bold and underlined. Lines labeled TNV148(B) indicate that the sequence shown pertains to both TNV148 and TNV148B. Gaps in the germline DNA sequence (CDR3) were due to the sequence not being known or not existing in the germline gene at the time. The TNV mAb heavy chains use the J6 joining region.

FIG. 3 shows DNA sequences of the TNV mAb light chain variable regions. The germline gene shown is a representative member of the Vg/38K family of human kappa germline variable region genes. Dots in the TNV mAb gene sequences indicate the nucleotide is the same as in the germline sequence. The first 16 nucleotides (underlined) of the TNV sequences correspond to the oligonucleotide used to PCR-amplify the variable region. An amino acid translation of the mature mAb (single letter abbreviations) is shown only for the germline gene. The three CDR domains in the germline amino acid translation are marked in bold and underlined. Lines labeled TNV148(B) indicate that the sequence shown pertains to both TNV148 and TNV148B. Gaps in the germline DNA sequence (CDR3) are due to the sequence not being known or not existing in the germline gene. The TNV mAb light chains use the J3 joining sequence.

FIG. 4 shows deduced amino acid sequences of the TNV mAb heavy chain variable regions. The amino acid sequences shown (single letter abbreviations) were deduced from DNA sequence determined from both uncloned PCR products and cloned PCR products. The amino sequences are shown partitioned into the secretory signal sequence (signal), framework (FW), and complementarity determining region (CDR) domains. The amino acid sequence for the DP-46 germline gene is shown on the top line for each domain. Dots indicate that the amino acid in the TNV mAb is identical to the germline gene. TNV148(B) indicates that the sequence shown pertains to both TNV148 and TNV148B. ‘TNVs’ indicates that the sequence shown pertains to all TNV mAbs unless a different sequence is shown. Dashes in the germline sequence (CDR3) indicate that the sequences are not known or do not exist in the germline gene.

FIG. 5 shows deduced amino acid sequences of the TNV mAb light chain variable regions. The amino acid sequences shown (single letter abbreviations) were deduced from DNA sequence determined from both uncloned PCR products and cloned PCR products. The amino sequences are shown partitioned into the secretory signal sequence (signal), framework (FW), and complementarity determining region (CDR) domains. The amino acid sequence for the Vg/38K-type light chain germline gene is shown on the top line for each domain. Dots indicate that the amino acid in the TNV mAb is identical to the germline gene. TNV148 (B) indicates that the sequence shown pertains to both TNV148 and TNV148B. ‘All’ indicates that the sequence shown pertains to TNV14, TNV15, TNV148, TNV148B, and TNV186.

FIG. 6 shows schematic illustrations of the heavy and light chain expression plasmids used to make the rTNV148B-expressing C466 cells. p1783 is the heavy chain plasmid and p1776 is the light chain plasmid. The rTNV148B variable and constant region coding domains are shown as black boxes. The immunoglobulin enhancers in the J-C introns are shown as gray boxes. Relevant restriction sites are shown. The plasmids are shown oriented such that transcription of the Ab genes proceeds in a clockwise direction. Plasmid p1783 is 19.53 kb in length and plasmid p1776 is 15.06 kb in length. The complete nucleotide sequences of both plasmids are known. The variable region coding sequence in p1783 can be easily replaced with another heavy chain variable region sequence by replacing the BsiWI/BstBI restriction fragment. The variable region coding sequence in p1776 can be replaced with another variable region sequence by replacing the SalI/AflII restriction fragment.

FIG. 7 shows graphical representation of growth curve analyses of five rTNV148B-producing cell lines. Cultures were initiated on day 0 by seeding cells into T75 flasks in I5Q+MHX media to have a viable cell density of 1.0×10⁵ cells/ml in a 30 ml volume. The cell cultures used for these studies had been in continuous culture since transfections and subclonings were performed. On subsequent days, cells in the T flasks were thoroughly resuspended and a 0.3 ml aliquot of the culture was removed. The growth curve studies were terminated when cell counts dropped below 1.5×10⁵ cells/ml. The number of live cells in the aliquot was determined by trypan blue exclusion and the remainder of the aliquot stored for later mAb concentration determination. An ELISA for human IgG was performed on all sample aliquots at the same time.

FIG. 8 shows a graphical representation of the comparison of cell growth rates in the presence of varying concentrations of MHX selection. Cell subclones C466A and C466B were thawed into MHX-free media (IMDM, 5% FBS, 2 mM glutamine) and cultured for two additional days. Both cell cultures were then divided into three cultures that contained either no MHX, 0.2×MHX, or 1×MHX. One day later, fresh T75 flasks were seeded with the cultures at a starting density of 1×10⁵ cells/ml and cells counted at 24 hour intervals for one week. Doubling times during the first 5 days were calculated using the formula in SOP PD32.025 and are shown above the bars.

FIG. 9 shows graphical representations of the stability of mAb production over time from two rTNV148B-producing cell lines. Cell subclones that had been in continuous culture since performing transfections and subclonings were used to start long-term serial cultures in 24-well culture dishes. Cells were cultured in I5Q media with and without MHX selection. Cells were continually passaged by splitting the cultures every 4 to 6 days to maintain new viable cultures while previous cultures were allowed to go spent. Aliquots of spent cell supernatant were collected shortly after cultures were spent and stored until the mAb concentrations were determined. An ELISA for human IgG was performed on all sample aliquots at the same time.

FIG. 10 shows arthritis mouse model mice Tg 197 weight changes in response to anti-TNF antibodies of the present invention as compared to controls in Example 4. At approximately 4 weeks of age the Tg197 study mice were assigned, based on gender and body weight, to one of 9 treatment groups and treated with a single intraperitoneal bolus dose of Dulbecco's PBS (D-PBS) or an anti-TNF antibody of the present invention (TNV14, TNV148 or TNV196) at either 1 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg. When the weights were analyzed as a change from pre-dose, the animals treated with 10 mg/kg cA2 showed consistently higher weight gain than the D-PBS-treated animals throughout the study. This weight gain was significant at weeks 3-7. The animals treated with 10 mg/kg TNV148 also achieved significant weight gain at week 7 of the study.

FIGS. 11A-C represent the progression of disease severity based on the arthritic index as presented in Example 4. The 10 mg/kg cA2-treated group's arthritic index was lower than the D-PBS control group starting at week 3 and continuing throughout the remainder of the study (week 7). The animals treated with 1 mg/kg TNV14 and the animals treated with 1 mg/kg cA2 failed to show significant reduction in AI after week 3 when compared to the D-PBS-treated Group. There were no significant differences between the 10 mg/kg treatment groups when each was compared to the others of similar dose (10 mg/kg cA2 compared to 10 mg/kg TNV14, 148 and 196). When the 1 mg/kg treatment groups were compared, the 1 mg/kg TNV148 showed a significantly lower AI than 1 mg/kg cA2 at 3, 4 and 7 weeks. The 1 mg/kg TNV148 was also significantly lower than the 1 mg/kg TNV14-treated Group at 3 and 4 weeks. Although TNV196 showed significant reduction in AI up to week 6 of the study (when compared to the D-PBS-treated Group), TNV148 was the only 1 mg/kg treatment that remained significant at the conclusion of the study.

FIG. 12 shows arthritis mouse model mice Tg 197 weight changes in response to anti-TNF antibodies of the present invention as compared to controls in Example 5. At approximately 4 weeks of age the Tg197 study mice were assigned, based on body weight, to one of 8 treatment groups and treated with a intraperitoneal bolus dose of control article (D-PBS) or antibody (TNV14, TNV148) at 3 mg/kg (week 0). Injections were repeated in all animals at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4. Groups 1-6 were evaluated for test article efficacy. Serum samples, obtained from animals in Groups 7 and 8 were evaluated for immune response inductively and pharmacokinetic clearance of TNV14 or TNV148 at weeks 2, 3 and 4.

FIGS. 13A-C are graphs representing the progression of disease severity in Example 5 based on the arthritic index. The 10 mg/kg cA2-treated group's arthritic index was significantly lower than the D-PBS control group starting at week 2 and continuing throughout the remainder of the study (week 5). The animals treated with 1 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg of cA2 and the animals treated with 3 mg/kg TNV14 failed to achieve any significant reduction in AI at any time throughout the study when compared to the d-PBS control group. The animals treated with 3 mg/kg TNV148 showed a significant reduction when compared to the d-PBS-treated group starting at week 3 and continuing through week 5. The 10 mg/kg cA2-treated animals showed a significant reduction in AI when compared to both the lower doses (1 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg) of cA2 at weeks 4 and 5 of the study and was also significantly lower than the TNV14-treated animals at weeks 3-5. Although there appeared to be no significant differences between any of the 3 mg/kg treatment groups, the AI for the animals treated with 3 mg/kg TNV14 were significantly higher at some time points than the 10 mg/kg whereas the animals treated with TNV148 were not significantly different from the animals treated with 10 mg/kg of cA2.

FIG. 14 shows arthritis mouse model mice Tg 197 weight changes in response to anti-TNF antibodies of the present invention as compared to controls in Example 6. At approximately 4 weeks of age the Tg197 study mice were assigned, based on gender and body weight, to one of 6 treatment groups and treated with a single intraperitoneal bolus dose of antibody (cA2, or TNV148) at either 3 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg. This study utilized the D-PBS and 10 mg/kg cA2 control Groups.

FIG. 15 represents the progression of disease severity based on the arthritic index as presented in Example 6. All treatment groups showed some protection at the earlier time points, with the 5 mg/kg cA2 and the 5 mg/kg TNV148 showing significant reductions in AI at weeks 1-3 and all treatment groups showing a significant reduction at week 2. Later in the study the animals treated with 5 mg/kg cA2 showed some protection, with significant reductions at weeks 4, 6 and 7. The low dose (3 mg/kg) of both the cA2 and the TNV148 showed significant reductions at 6 and all treatment groups showed significant reductions at week 7. None of the treatment groups were able to maintain a significant reduction at the conclusion of the study (week 8). There were no significant differences between any of the treatment groups (excluding the saline control group) at any time point.

FIG. 16 shows arthritis mouse model mice Tg 197 weight changes in response to anti-TNF antibodies of the present invention as compared to controls in Example 7. To compare the efficacy of a single intraperitoneal dose of TNV148 (derived from hybridoma cells) and rTNV148B (derived from transfected cells). At approximately 4 weeks of age the Tg197 study mice were assigned, based on gender and body weight, to one of 9 treatment groups and treated with a single intraperitoneal bolus dose of Dulbecco's PBS (D-PBS) or antibody (TNV148, rTNV148B) at 1 mg/kg.

FIG. 17 represents the progression of disease severity based on the arthritic index as presented in Example 7. The 10 mg/kg cA2-treated group's arthritic index was lower than the D-PBS control group starting at week 4 and continuing throughout the remainder of the study (week 8). Both of the TNV148-treated Groups and the 1 mg/kg cA2-treated Group showed a significant reduction in AI at week 4. Although a previous study (P-099-017) showed that TNV148 was slightly more effective at reducing the Arthritic Index following a single 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal bolus, this study showed that the AI from both versions of the TNV antibody-treated groups was slightly higher. Although (with the exception of week 6) the 1 mg/kg cA2-treated Group was not significantly increased when compared to the 10 mg/kg cA2 group and the TNV148-treated Groups were significantly higher at weeks 7 and 8, there were no significant differences in AI between the 1 mg/kg cA2, 1 mg/kg TNV148 and 1 mg/kg TNV148B at any point in the study.

FIG. 18 shows an overview of the 9 stages of the golimumab manufacturing process.

FIG. 19 shows a flow diagram of Stage 1 manufacturing process for the preculture and expansion steps, including the in-process controls and process monitoring tests.

FIG. 20 shows a flow diagram of Stage 2 manufacturing process steps, including the in-process controls and process monitoring tests.

FIG. 21 shows a representative HPLC chromatogram for a golimumab reference standard using normal phase anion exchange HPLC with fluorescence detection. Peaks associated with different species are labeled. The * indicates a system peak that is not associated with golimumab.

FIG. 22 shows a representative cIEF electropherogram profile of golimumab with the four major peaks labeled as C, 1, 2, and 3 and minor peak labeled B. Internal standards of pI 7.6 and 9.5 are also labeled. A graphic representing the general relationship between cIEF peaks and decreasing negative charge/degree of sialylation is also shown.

FIG. 23 shows the deviation in cell culture performance for viable cell density (VCD) in 500 liter and 1000 liter bioreactors during Stage 2 of manufacturing for golimumab. The historical mean is shown with a solid heavy black line, plus and minus 2 standard deviations from the mean are indicated with dashed lines, and the deviating cell cultures are shown as thinner grey lines. The black and grey arrows indicate the “shouldering” point of the historical mean and the deviating bioreactors, respectively.

FIG. 24 shows the deviation in cell culture performance for % viability in 500 liter and 1000 liter bioreactors during Stage 2 of manufacturing for golimumab. The historical mean is shown with a solid heavy black line, plus and minus 2 standard deviations from the mean are indicated with dashed lines, and the deviating cell cultures are shown was thinner grey lines.

FIG. 25 shows a diagrammatic overview of some of the primary N-linked oligosaccharide species in golimumab IgG. The role of some of the enzymes in the glycosylation maturation process and role of some divalent cations (e.g. Mn²⁺ as a co-factor and Cu²⁺ as an inhibitor of GalTI) are also shown (see, e.g., Biotechnol Bioeng. 2007 Feb. 15; 96(3):538-49; Curr Drug Targets. 2008 April; 9(4):292-309; J Biochem Mol Biol. 2002 May 31; 35(3):330-6). Note that species with terminal sialic acid (S1 and S2) are charged species and species lacking the terminal sialic acid (G0F, G1F, and G2F) are neutral species, but generation of charged species depends on the presence of the galactose in G1F and G2F added by the GalT1 enzyme.

FIG. 26 shows total neutral and total charged oligosaccharide species in AGT (pre-change), post-change AGT, and SUP-AGT3 batches of golimumab displayed in chronological order for different batches. The mean % totals for the historical pre-change AGT batches are shown with solid lines and the upper and lower specification limits are shown as dashed lines.

FIG. 27 shows % of total for individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F (A), G1F (B), and G2F (C) in AGT (pre-change), post-change AGT, and SUP-AGT3 batches of golimumab displayed in chronological order for different batches. The mean % values for the historical pre-change AGT batches are shown with solid lines and the upper and lower specification limits are shown as dashed lines.

FIG. 28 : shows the effect of increasing copper concentration on the levels of G0F and total neutrals for golimumab.

FIG. 29 : shows manganese levels for different batches of media in chronological order. The data are identified based on the media used, e.g., Pre-change AGT, Post-change AGT, and SUP-AGT3. The mean value for the historical pre-change AGT batches is shown with a solid line and the upper and lower specification limits are shown as dashed lines.

FIG. 30 : shows chromium levels for different batches of media in chronological order. The data are identified based on the media used, e.g., Pre-change AGT, Post-change AGT, and SUP-AGT3.

FIG. 31 : shows copper levels for different batches of media in chronological order. The data are identified based on the media used, e.g., Pre-change AGT, Post-change AGT, and SUP-AGT3. The mean value for the historical pre-change AGT batches is shown with a solid line and the upper and lower specification limits are shown as dashed lines. The mean values for the post-change AGT and SUP-AGT3 batches are also shown with solid lines. Note that many of the Post-change AGT batches had values less than the lower limit of detection for the assay for copper (<1 μg/L) and are simply represented graphically as 1 μg/L.

FIG. 32 : shows cell culture (Stage 2) viable cell density (VCD) profiles for the mean of SUP-AGT3 batches (grey squares) compared with the mean of historical pre-change AGT batches (black circles) and the mean of post-change AGT batches (black tringles) of golimumab. For historical pre-change AGT batches, ±3SD are included as dashed lines.

FIG. 33 : shows cell culture (Stage 2) viability (%) for the mean of SUP-AGT3 batches (grey squares) compared with the mean of historical pre-change AGT batches (black circles) and the mean of post-change AGT batches (black triangles) of golimumab. For historical pre-change AGT batches, ±3SD are included as dashed lines.

FIG. 34 : shows cell culture (Stage 2) mean cumulative IgG levels for the mean of SUP-AGT3 batches (grey triangles) compared with the mean of historical pre-change AGT batches (black squares) and the mean of post-change AGT batches (black circles) of golimumab. For historical pre-change AGT batches, ±3SD are included as dashed lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides compositions comprising anti-TNF antibodies having a heavy chain (HC) comprising SEQ ID NO:36 and a light chain (LC) comprising SEQ ID NO:37 and manufacturing processes for producing such anti-TNF antibodies.

As used herein, an “anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody,” “anti-TNF antibody,” “anti-TNF antibody portion,” or “anti-TNF antibody fragment” and/or “anti-TNF antibody variant” and the like include any protein or peptide containing molecule that comprises at least a portion of an immunoglobulin molecule, such as but not limited to at least one complementarity determining region (CDR) of a heavy or light chain or a ligand binding portion thereof, a heavy chain or light chain variable region, a heavy chain or light chain constant region, a framework region, or any portion thereof, or at least one portion of an TNF receptor or binding protein, which can be incorporated into an antibody of the present invention. Such antibody optionally further affects a specific ligand, such as but not limited to where such antibody modulates, decreases, increases, antagonizes, agonizes, mitigates, alleviates, blocks, inhibits, abrogates and/or interferes with at least one TNF activity or binding, or with TNF receptor activity or binding, in vitro, in situ and/or in vivo. As a non-limiting example, a suitable anti-TNF antibody, specified portion or variant of the present invention can bind at least one TNF, or specified portions, variants or domains thereof. A suitable anti-TNF antibody, specified portion, or variant can also optionally affect at least one of TNF activity or function, such as but not limited to, RNA, DNA or protein synthesis, TNF release, TNF receptor signaling, membrane TNF cleavage, TNF activity, TNF production and/or synthesis. The term “antibody” is further intended to encompass antibodies, digestion fragments, specified portions and variants thereof, including antibody mimetics or comprising portions of antibodies that mimic the structure and/or function of an antibody or specified fragment or portion thereof, including single chain antibodies and fragments thereof. Functional fragments include antigen-binding fragments that bind to a mammalian TNF. For example, antibody fragments capable of binding to TNF or portions thereof, including, but not limited to Fab (e.g., by papain digestion), Fab′ (e.g., by pepsin digestion and partial reduction) and F(ab′)₂ (e.g., by pepsin digestion), facb (e.g., by plasmin digestion), pFc′ (e.g., by pepsin or plasmin digestion), Fd (e.g., by pepsin digestion, partial reduction and reaggregation), Fv or scFv (e.g., by molecular biology techniques) fragments, are encompassed by the invention (see, e.g., Colligan, Immunology, supra).

Such fragments can be produced by enzymatic cleavage, synthetic or recombinant techniques, as known in the art and/or as described herein. antibodies can also be produced in a variety of truncated forms using antibody genes in which one or more stop codons have been introduced upstream of the natural stop site. For example, a combination gene encoding a F(ab′)₂ heavy chain portion can be designed to include DNA sequences encoding the CH₁ domain and/or hinge region of the heavy chain. The various portions of antibodies can be joined together chemically by conventional techniques, or can be prepared as a contiguous protein using genetic engineering techniques.

As used herein, the term “human antibody” refers to an antibody in which substantially every part of the protein (e.g., CDR, framework, C_(L), C_(H) domains (e.g., C_(H)1, C_(H)2, and C_(H)3), hinge, (V_(L), V_(H))) is substantially non-immunogenic in humans, with only minor sequence changes or variations. Similarly, antibodies designated primate (monkey, baboon, chimpanzee, etc.), rodent (mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, and the like) and other mammals designate such species, sub-genus, genus, sub-family, family specific antibodies. Further, chimeric antibodies include any combination of the above. Such changes or variations optionally and preferably retain or reduce the immunogenicity in humans or other species relative to non-modified antibodies. Thus, a human antibody is distinct from a chimeric or humanized antibody. It is pointed out that a human antibody can be produced by a non-human animal or prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell that is capable of expressing functionally rearranged human immunoglobulin (e.g., heavy chain and/or light chain) genes. Further, when a human antibody is a single chain antibody, it can comprise a linker peptide that is not found in native human antibodies. For example, an Fv can comprise a linker peptide, such as two to about eight glycine or other amino acid residues, which connects the variable region of the heavy chain and the variable region of the light chain. Such linker peptides are considered to be of human origin.

Bispecific (e.g., DuoBody®), heterospecific, heteroconjugate or similar antibodies can also be used that are monoclonal, preferably human or humanized, antibodies that have binding specificities for at least two different antigens. In the present case, one of the binding specificities is for at least one TNF protein, the other one is for any other antigen. Methods for making bispecific antibodies are known in the art. Traditionally, the recombinant production of bispecific antibodies is based on the co-expression of two immunoglobulin heavy chain-light chain pairs, where the two heavy chains have different specificities (Milstein and Cuello, Nature 305:537 (1983)). Because of the random assortment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains, these hybridomas (quadromas) produce a potential mixture of 10 different antibody molecules, of which only one has the correct bispecific structure. The purification of the correct molecule, which is usually done by affinity chromatography steps, can be cumbersome with low product yields and different strategies have been developed to facilitate bispecific antibody production.

Full length bispecific antibodies can be generated for example using Fab arm exchange (or half molecule exchange) between two monospecific bivalent antibodies by introducing substitutions at the heavy chain CH3 interface in each half molecule to favor heterodimer formation of two antibody half molecules having distinct specificity either in vitro in cell-free environment or using co-expression. The Fab arm exchange reaction is the result of a disulfide-bond isomerization reaction and dissociation-association of CH3 domains. The heavy-chain disulfide bonds in the hinge regions of the parent monospecific antibodies are reduced. The resulting free cysteines of one of the parent monospecific antibodies form an inter heavy-chain disulfide bond with cysteine residues of a second parent monospecific antibody molecule and simultaneously CH3 domains of the parent antibodies release and reform by dissociation-association. The CH3 domains of the Fab arms may be engineered to favor heterodimerization over homodimerization. The resulting product is a bispecific antibody having two Fab arms or half molecules which each can bind a distinct epitope.

“Homodimerization” as used herein refers to an interaction of two heavy chains having identical CH3 amino acid sequences. “Homodimer” as used herein refers to an antibody having two heavy chains with identical CH3 amino acid sequences.

“Heterodimerization” as used herein refers to an interaction of two heavy chains having non-identical CH3 amino acid sequences. “Heterodimer” as used herein refers to an antibody having two heavy chains with non-identical CH3 amino acid sequences.

The “knob-in-hole” strategy (see, e.g., PCT Intl. Publ. No. WO 2006/028936) can be used to generate full length bispecific antibodies. Briefly, selected amino acids forming the interface of the CH3 domains in human IgG can be mutated at positions affecting CH3 domain interactions to promote heterodimer formation. An amino acid with a small side chain (hole) is introduced into a heavy chain of an antibody specifically binding a first antigen and an amino acid with a large side chain (knob) is introduced into a heavy chain of an antibody specifically binding a second antigen. After co-expression of the two antibodies, a heterodimer is formed as a result of the preferential interaction of the heavy chain with a “hole” with the heavy chain with a “knob”. Exemplary CH3 substitution pairs forming a knob and a hole are (expressed as modified position in the first CH3 domain of the first heavy chain/modified position in the second CH3 domain of the second heavy chain): T366Y/F405A, T366W/F405W, F405W/Y407A, T394W/Y407T, T394S/Y407A, T366W/T394S, F405W/T394S and T366W/T366S_L368A_Y407V.

Other strategies such as promoting heavy chain heterodimerization using electrostatic interactions by substituting positively charged residues at one CH3 surface and negatively charged residues at a second CH3 surface may be used, as described in US Pat. Publ. No. US2010/0015133; US Pat. Publ. No. US2009/0182127; US Pat. Publ. No. US2010/028637 or US Pat. Publ. No. US2011/0123532. In other strategies, heterodimerization may be promoted by following substitutions (expressed as modified position in the first CH3 domain of the first heavy chain/modified position in the second CH3 domain of the second heavy chain): L351Y_F405A_Y407V/T394W, T366I_K392M_T394W/F405A_Y407V, T366L_K392M_T394W/F405A_Y407V, L351Y_Y407A/T366A_K409F, L351Y_Y407A/T366V_K409F, Y407A/T366A_K409F, or T350V_L351Y_F405A_Y407V/T350V_T366L_K392L_T394W as described in U.S. Pat. Publ. No. US2012/0149876 or U.S. Pat. Publ. No. US2013/0195849.

In addition to methods described above, bispecific antibodies can be generated in vitro in a cell-free environment by introducing asymmetrical mutations in the CH3 regions of two monospecific homodimeric antibodies and forming the bispecific heterodimeric antibody from two parent monospecific homodimeric antibodies in reducing conditions to allow disulfide bond isomerization according to methods described in Intl. Pat. Publ. No. WO2011/131746. In the methods, the first monospecific bivalent antibody and the second monospecific bivalent antibody are engineered to have certain substitutions at the CH3 domain that promoter heterodimer stability; the antibodies are incubated together under reducing conditions sufficient to allow the cysteines in the hinge region to undergo disulfide bond isomerization; thereby generating the bispecific antibody by Fab arm exchange. The incubation conditions may optimally be restored to non-reducing. Exemplary reducing agents that may be used are 2-mercaptoethylamine (2-MEA), dithiothreitol (DTT), dithioerythritol (DTE), glutathione, tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP), L-cysteine and beta-mercaptoethanol, preferably a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of: 2-mercaptoethylamine, dithiothreitol and tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine. For example, incubation for at least 90 min at a temperature of at least 20° C. in the presence of at least 25 mM 2-MEA or in the presence of at least 0.5 mM dithiothreitol at a pH of from 5-8, for example at pH of 7.0 or at pH of 7.4 may be used.

Anti-TNF antibodies (also termed TNF antibodies) useful in the methods and compositions of the present invention can optionally be characterized by high affinity binding to TNF and optionally and preferably having low toxicity. In particular, an antibody, specified fragment or variant of the invention, where the individual components, such as the variable region, constant region and framework, individually and/or collectively, optionally and preferably possess low immunogenicity, is useful in the present invention. The antibodies that can be used in the invention are optionally characterized by their ability to treat patients for extended periods with measurable alleviation of symptoms and low and/or acceptable toxicity. Low or acceptable immunogenicity and/or high affinity, as well as other suitable properties, can contribute to the therapeutic results achieved. “Low immunogenicity” is defined herein as raising significant HAHA, HACA or HAMA responses in less than about 75%, or preferably less than about 50% of the patients treated and/or raising low titres in the patient treated (less than about 300, preferably less than about 100 measured with a double antigen enzyme immunoassay) (Elliott et al., Lancet 344:1125-1127 (1994), entirely incorporated herein by reference).

Utility: The isolated nucleic acids of the present invention can be used for production of at least one anti-TNF antibody or specified variant thereof, which can be used to measure or effect in an cell, tissue, organ or animal (including mammals and humans), to diagnose, monitor, modulate, treat, alleviate, help prevent the incidence of, or reduce the symptoms of, at least one TNF condition, selected from, but not limited to, at least one of an immune disorder or disease, a cardiovascular disorder or disease, an infectious, malignant, and/or neurologic disorder or disease.

Such a method can comprise administering an effective amount of a composition or a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one anti-TNF antibody to a cell, tissue, organ, animal or patient in need of such modulation, treatment, alleviation, prevention, or reduction in symptoms, effects or mechanisms. The effective amount can comprise an amount of about 0.001 to 500 mg/kg per single (e.g., bolus), multiple or continuous administration, or to achieve a serum concentration of 0.01-5000 g/ml serum concentration per single, multiple, or continuous administration, or any effective range or value therein, as done and determined using known methods, as described herein or known in the relevant arts. Citations. All publications or patents cited herein are entirely incorporated herein by reference as they show the state of the art at the time of the present invention and/or to provide description and enablement of the present invention. Publications refer to any scientific or patent publications, or any other information available in any media format, including all recorded, electronic or printed formats. The following references are entirely incorporated herein by reference: Ausubel, et al., ed., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY, NY (1987-2001); Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) Edition, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989); Harlow and Lane, antibodies, a Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989); Colligan, et al., eds., Current Protocols in Immunology, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY (1994-2001); Colligan et al., Current Protocols in Protein Science, John Wiley & Sons, NY, NY, (1997-2001).

Antibodies of the Present Invention: At least one anti-TNF antibody of the present invention comprising all of the heavy chain variable CDR regions of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2 and 3 and/or all of the light chain variable CDR regions of SEQ ID NOS:4, 5 and 6 can be optionally produced by a cell line, a mixed cell line, an immortalized cell or clonal population of immortalized cells, as well known in the art. See, e.g., Ausubel, et al., ed., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY, NY (1987-2001); Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) Edition, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989); Harlow and Lane, antibodies, a Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989); Colligan, et al., eds., Current Protocols in Immunology, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY (1994-2001); Colligan et al., Current Protocols in Protein Science, John Wiley & Sons, NY, NY, (1997-2001), each entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Human antibodies that are specific for human TNF proteins or fragments thereof can be raised against an appropriate immunogenic antigen, such as isolated and/or TNF protein or a portion thereof (including synthetic molecules, such as synthetic peptides). Other specific or general mammalian antibodies can be similarly raised. Preparation of immunogenic antigens, and monoclonal antibody production can be performed using any suitable technique.

In one approach, a hybridoma is produced by fusing a suitable immortal cell line (e.g., a myeloma cell line such as, but not limited to, Sp2/0, Sp2/0-AG14, NSO, NS1, NS2, AE-1, L.5, >243, P3X63Ag8.653, Sp2 SA3, Sp2 MAI, Sp2 SS1, Sp2 SA5, U937, MLA 144, ACT IV, MOLT4, DA-1, JURKAT, WEHI, K-562, COS, RAJI, NIH 3T3, HL-60, MLA 144, NAMAIWA, NEURO 2A, or the like, or heteromylomas, fusion products thereof, or any cell or fusion cell derived therefrom, or any other suitable cell line as known in the art. See, e.g., www.atcc.org, www.lifetech.com, and the like, with antibody producing cells, such as, but not limited to, isolated or cloned spleen, peripheral blood, lymph, tonsil, or other immune or B cell containing cells, or any other cells expressing heavy or light chain constant or variable or framework or CDR sequences, either as endogenous or heterologous nucleic acid, as recombinant or endogenous, viral, bacterial, algal, prokaryotic, amphibian, insect, reptilian, fish, mammalian, rodent, equine, ovine, goat, sheep, primate, eukaryotic, genomic DNA, cDNA, rDNA, mitochondrial DNA or RNA, chloroplast DNA or RNA, hnRNA, mRNA, tRNA, single, double or triple stranded, hybridized, and the like or any combination thereof. See, e.g., Ausubel, supra, and Colligan, Immunology, supra, chapter 2, entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Antibody producing cells can also be obtained from the peripheral blood or, preferably the spleen or lymph nodes, of humans or other suitable animals that have been immunized with the antigen of interest. Any other suitable host cell can also be used for expressing heterologous or endogenous nucleic acid encoding an antibody, specified fragment or variant thereof, of the present invention. The fused cells (hybridomas) or recombinant cells can be isolated using selective culture conditions or other suitable known methods, and cloned by limiting dilution or cell sorting, or other known methods. Cells which produce antibodies with the desired specificity can be selected by a suitable assay (e.g., ELISA).

Other suitable methods of producing or isolating antibodies of the requisite specificity can be used, including, but not limited to, methods that select recombinant antibody from a peptide or protein library (e.g., but not limited to, a bacteriophage, ribosome, oligonucleotide, RNA, cDNA, or the like, display library; e.g., as available from Cambridge antibody Technologies, Cambridgeshire, UK; MorphoSys, Martinsreid/Planegg, DE; Biovation, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK; BioInvent, Lund, Sweden; Dyax Corp., Enzon, Affymax/Biosite; Xoma, Berkeley, Calif.; Ixsys. See, e.g., EP 368,684, PCT/GB91/01134; PCT/GB92/01755; PCT/GB92/002240; PCT/GB92/00883; PCT/GB93/00605; U.S. Ser. No. 08/350,260 (May 12, 1994); PCT/GB94/01422; PCT/GB94/02662; PCT/GB97/01835; (CAT/MRC); WO90/14443; WO90/14424; WO90/14430; PCT/US94/1234; WO92/18619; WO96/07754; (Scripps); EP 614 989 (MorphoSys); WO95/16027 (BioInvent); WO88/06630; WO90/3809 (Dyax); U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,692 (Enzon); PCT/US91/02989 (Affymax); WO89/06283; EP 371 998; EP 550 400; (Xoma); EP 229 046; PCT/US91/07149 (Ixsys); or stochastically generated peptides or proteins—U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,723,323, 5,763,192, 5,814,476, 5,817,483, 5,824,514, 5,976,862, WO 86/05803, EP 590 689 (Ixsys, now Applied Molecular Evolution (AME), each entirely incorporated herein by reference) or that rely upon immunization of transgenic animals (e.g., SCID mice, Nguyen et al., Microbiol. Immunol. 41:901-907 (1997); Sandhu et al., Crit. Rev. Biotechnol. 16:95-118 (1996); Eren et al., Immunol. 93:154-161 (1998), each entirely incorporated by reference as well as related patents and applications) that are capable of producing a repertoire of human antibodies, as known in the art and/or as described herein. Such techniques, include, but are not limited to, ribosome display (Hanes et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 94:4937-4942 (May 1997); Hanes et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 95:14130-14135 (November 1998)); single cell antibody producing technologies (e.g., selected lymphocyte antibody method (“SLAM”) (U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,052, Wen et al., J. Immunol. 17:887-892 (1987); Babcook et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:7843-7848 (1996)); gel microdroplet and flow cytometry (Powell et al., Biotechnol. 8:333-337 (1990); One Cell Systems, Cambridge, Mass.; Gray et al., J. Imm. Meth. 182:155-163 (1995); Kenny et al., Bio/Technol. 13:787-790 (1995)); B-cell selection (Steenbakkers et al., Molec. Biol. Reports 19:125-134 (1994); Jonak et al., Progress Biotech, Vol. 5, In Vitro Immunization in Hybridoma Technology, Borrebaeck, ed., Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands (1988)).

Methods for engineering or humanizing non-human or human antibodies can also be used and are well known in the art. Generally, a humanized or engineered antibody has one or more amino acid residues from a source which is non-human, e.g., but not limited to mouse, rat, rabbit, non-human primate or other mammal. These human amino acid residues are often referred to as “import” residues, which are typically taken from an “import” variable, constant or other domain of a known human sequence. Known human Ig sequences are disclosed, e.g., www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi; www.atcc.org/phage/hdb.html; www.sciquest.com/; www.abcam.com/; www.antibodyresource.com/onlinecomp.html; www.public.iastate.edu/˜pedro/research_tools.html; www.mgen.uni-heidelberg.de/SD/IT/IT.html; www.whfreeman.com/immunology/CH05/kuby05.htm; www.library.thinkquest.org/12429/Immune/Antibody.html; www.hhmi.org/grants/lectures/1996/vlab/; www.path.cam.ac.uk/˜mrc7/mikeimages.html; www.antibodyresource.com/; mcb.harvard.edu/BioLinks/Immunology.html.www.immunologylink.com/; pathbox.wustl.edu/˜hcenter/index.html; www.biotech.ufl.edu/˜hcl/; www.pebio.com/pa/340913/340913.html; www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/antibody/; www.m.ehime-u.ac.jp/˜yasuhito/Elisa.html; www.biodesign.com/table.asp; www.icnet.uk/axp/facs/davies/links.html; www.biotech.ufl.edu/˜fccl/protocol.html; www.isac-net.org/sites_geo.html; aximtl.imt.uni-marburg.de/˜rek/AEPStart.html; baserv.uci.kun.nl/˜jraats/links1.html; www.recab.uni-hd.de/immuno.bme.nwu.edu/; www.mrc-cpe.cam.ac.uk/imt-doc/public/INTRO.html; www.ibt.unam.mx/vir/V_mice.html; imgt.cnusc.fr:8104/; www.biochem.ucl.ac.uk/˜martin/abs/index.html; antibody.bath.ac.uk/; abgen.cvm.tamu.edu/lab/wwwabgen.html; www.unizh.ch/˜honegger/AHOseminar/Slide01.html; www.cryst.bbk.ac.uk/˜ubcg07s/; www.nimr.mrc.ac.uk/CC/ccaewg/ccaewg.htm; www.path.cam.ac.uk/˜mrc7/humanisation/TAHHP.html; www.ibt.unam.mx/vir/structure/stat_aim.html; www.biosci.missouri.edu/smithgp/index.html; www.cryst.bioc.cam.ac.uk/˜fmolina/Web-pages/Pept/spottech.html; www.jerini.de/fr_products.htm; www.patents.ibm.com/ibm.html.Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, U.S. Dept. Health (1983), each entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Such imported sequences can be used to reduce immunogenicity or reduce, enhance or modify binding, affinity, on-rate, off-rate, avidity, specificity, half-life, or any other suitable characteristic, as known in the art. Generally, part or all of the non-human or human CDR sequences are maintained while the non-human sequences of the variable and constant regions are replaced with human or other amino acids. antibodies can also optionally be humanized with retention of high affinity for the antigen and other favorable biological properties. To achieve this goal, humanized antibodies can be optionally prepared by a process of analysis of the parental sequences and various conceptual humanized products using three-dimensional models of the parental and humanized sequences. Three-dimensional immunoglobulin models are commonly available and are familiar to those skilled in the art. Computer programs are available which illustrate and display probable three-dimensional conformational structures of selected candidate immunoglobulin sequences. Inspection of these displays permits analysis of the likely role of the residues in the functioning of the candidate immunoglobulin sequence, i.e., the analysis of residues that influence the ability of the candidate immunoglobulin to bind its antigen. In this way, FR residues can be selected and combined from the consensus and import sequences so that the desired antibody characteristic, such as increased affinity for the target antigen(s), is achieved. In general, the CDR residues are directly and most substantially involved in influencing antigen binding. Humanization or engineering of antibodies of the present invention can be performed using any known method, such as but not limited to those described in, Winter (Jones et al., Nature 321:522 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323 (1988); Verhoeyen et al., Science 239:1534 (1988)), Sims et al., J. Immunol. 151: 2296 (1993); Chothia and Lesk, J. Mol. Biol. 196:901 (1987), Carter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89:4285 (1992); Presta et al., J. Immunol. 151:2623 (1993), U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,723,323, 5,976,862, 5,824,514, 5,817,483, 5,814,476, 5,763,192, 5,723,323, 5,766886, 5714352, 6204023, 6180370, 5693762, 5530101, 5585089, 5225539; 4816567, PCT/: US98/16280, US96/18978, US91/09630, US91/05939, US94/01234, GB89/01334, GB91/01134, GB92/01755; WO90/14443, WO90/14424, WO90/14430, EP 229246, each entirely incorporated herein by reference, included references cited therein.

The anti-TNF antibody can also be optionally generated by immunization of a transgenic animal (e.g., mouse, rat, hamster, non-human primate, and the like) capable of producing a repertoire of human antibodies, as described herein and/or as known in the art. Cells that produce a human anti-TNF antibody can be isolated from such animals and immortalized using suitable methods, such as the methods described herein.

Transgenic mice that can produce a repertoire of human antibodies that bind to human antigens can be produced by known methods (e.g., but not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,770,428, 5,569,825, 5,545,806, 5,625,126, 5,625,825, 5,633,425, 5,661,016 and 5,789,650 issued to Lonberg et al.; Jakobovits et al. WO 98/50433, Jakobovits et al. WO 98/24893, Lonberg et al. WO 98/24884, Lonberg et al. WO 97/13852, Lonberg et al. WO 94/25585, Kucherlapate et al. WO 96/34096, Kucherlapate et al. EP 0463 151 B1, Kucherlapate et al. EP 0710 719 A1, Surani et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,807, Bruggemann et al. WO 90/04036, Bruggemann et al. EP 0438 474 B1, Lonberg et al. EP 0814 259 A2, Lonberg et al. GB 2 272 440 A, Lonberg et al. Nature 368:856-859 (1994), Taylor et al., Int. Immunol. 6(4)579-591 (1994), Green et al, Nature Genetics 7:13-21 (1994), Mendez et al., Nature Genetics 15:146-156 (1997), Taylor et al., Nucleic Acids Research 20(23):6287-6295 (1992), Tuaillon et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90(8)3720-3724 (1993), Lonberg et al., Int Rev Immunol 13(1):65-93 (1995) and Fishwald et al., Nat Biotechnol 14(7):845-851 (1996), which are each entirely incorporated herein by reference). Generally, these mice comprise at least one transgene comprising DNA from at least one human immunoglobulin locus that is functionally rearranged, or which can undergo functional rearrangement. The endogenous immunoglobulin loci in such mice can be disrupted or deleted to eliminate the capacity of the animal to produce antibodies encoded by endogenous genes.

Screening antibodies for specific binding to similar proteins or fragments can be conveniently achieved using peptide display libraries. This method involves the screening of large collections of peptides for individual members having the desired function or structure. antibody screening of peptide display libraries is well known in the art. The displayed peptide sequences can be from 3 to 5000 or more amino acids in length, frequently from 5-100 amino acids long, and often from about 8 to 25 amino acids long. In addition to direct chemical synthetic methods for generating peptide libraries, several recombinant DNA methods have been described. One type involves the display of a peptide sequence on the surface of a bacteriophage or cell. Each bacteriophage or cell contains the nucleotide sequence encoding the particular displayed peptide sequence. Such methods are described in PCT Patent Publication Nos. 91/17271, 91/18980, 91/19818, and 93/08278. Other systems for generating libraries of peptides have aspects of both in vitro chemical synthesis and recombinant methods. See, PCT Patent Publication Nos. 92/05258, 92/14843, and 96/19256. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,658,754; and 5,643,768. Peptide display libraries, vector, and screening kits are commercially available from such suppliers as Invitrogen (Carlsbad, Calif.), and Cambridge antibody Technologies (Cambridgeshire, UK). See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,704,692, 4,939,666, 4,946,778, 5,260,203, 5,455,030, 5,518,889, 5,534,621, 5,656,730, 5,763,733, 5,767,260, 5,856,456, assigned to Enzon; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,223,409, 5,403,484, 5,571,698, 5,837,500, assigned to Dyax, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,427,908, 5,580,717, assigned to Affymax; U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,793, assigned to Cambridge antibody Technologies; U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,373, assigned to Genentech, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,618,920, 5,595,898, 5,576,195, 5,698,435, 5,693,493, 5,698,417, assigned to Xoma, Colligan, supra; Ausubel, supra; or Sambrook, supra, each of the above patents and publications entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Antibodies of the present invention can also be prepared using at least one anti-TNF antibody encoding nucleic acid to provide transgenic animals or mammals, such as goats, cows, horses, sheep, and the like, that produce such antibodies in their milk. Such animals can be provided using known methods. See, e.g., but not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,827,690; 5,849,992; 4,873,316; 5,849,992; 5,994,616; 5,565,362; 5,304,489, and the like, each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Antibodies of the present invention can additionally be prepared using at least one anti-TNF antibody encoding nucleic acid to provide transgenic plants and cultured plant cells (e.g., but not limited to tobacco and maize) that produce such antibodies, specified portions or variants in the plant parts or in cells cultured therefrom. As a non-limiting example, transgenic tobacco leaves expressing recombinant proteins have been successfully used to provide large amounts of recombinant proteins, e.g., using an inducible promoter. See, e.g., Cramer et al., Curr. Top. Microbol. Immunol. 240:95-118 (1999) and references cited therein. Also, transgenic maize have been used to express mammalian proteins at commercial production levels, with biological activities equivalent to those produced in other recombinant systems or purified from natural sources. See, e.g., Hood et al., Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 464:127-147 (1999) and references cited therein. antibodies have also been produced in large amounts from transgenic plant seeds including antibody fragments, such as single chain antibodies (scFv's), including tobacco seeds and potato tubers. See, e.g., Conrad et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 38:101-109 (1998) and reference cited therein. Thus, antibodies of the present invention can also be produced using transgenic plants, according to know methods. See also, e.g., Fischer et al., Biotechnol. Appl. Biochem. 30:99-108 (October, 1999), Ma et al., Trends Biotechnol. 13:522-7 (1995); Ma et al., Plant Physiol. 109:341-6 (1995); Whitelam et al., Biochem. Soc. Trans. 22:940-944 (1994); and references cited therein. See, also generally for plant expression of antibodies, but not limited to, Each of the above references is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

The antibodies of the invention can bind human TNF with a wide range of affinities (K_(D)). In a preferred embodiment, at least one human mAb of the present invention can optionally bind human TNF with high affinity. For example, a human mAb can bind human TNF with a K_(D) equal to or less than about 10⁻⁷ M, such as but not limited to, 0.1-9.9 (or any range or value therein)×10⁻⁷, 10⁻⁸, 10⁻⁹, 10⁻¹⁰, 10⁻¹¹, 10⁻¹², 10⁻¹³ or any range or value therein.

The affinity or avidity of an antibody for an antigen can be determined experimentally using any suitable method. (See, for example, Berzofsky, et al., “Antibody-Antigen Interactions,” In Fundamental Immunology, Paul, W. E., Ed., Raven Press: New York, N.Y. (1984); Kuby, Janis Immunology, W. H. Freeman and Company: New York, N.Y. (1992); and methods described herein). The measured affinity of a particular antibody-antigen interaction can vary if measured under different conditions (e.g., salt concentration, pH). Thus, measurements of affinity and other antigen-binding parameters (e.g., K_(D), K_(a), K_(d)) are preferably made with standardized solutions of antibody and antigen, and a standardized buffer, such as the buffer described herein.

Nucleic Acid Molecules. Using the information provided herein, such as the nucleotide sequences encoding at least 70-100% of the contiguous amino acids of at least one of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, specified fragments, variants or consensus sequences thereof, or a deposited vector comprising at least one of these sequences, a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention encoding at least one anti-TNF antibody comprising all of the heavy chain variable CDR regions of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2 and 3 and/or all of the light chain variable CDR regions of SEQ ID NOS:4, 5 and 6 can be obtained using methods described herein or as known in the art.

Nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can be in the form of RNA, such as mRNA, hnRNA, tRNA or any other form, or in the form of DNA, including, but not limited to, cDNA and genomic DNA obtained by cloning or produced synthetically, or any combinations thereof. The DNA can be triple-stranded, double-stranded or single-stranded, or any combination thereof. Any portion of at least one strand of the DNA or RNA can be the coding strand, also known as the sense strand, or it can be the non-coding strand, also referred to as the anti-sense strand.

Isolated nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can include nucleic acid molecules comprising an open reading frame (ORF), optionally with one or more introns, e.g., but not limited to, at least one specified portion of at least one CDR, as CDR1, CDR2 and/or CDR3 of at least one heavy chain (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:1-3) or light chain (e.g., SEQ ID NOS: 4-6); nucleic acid molecules comprising the coding sequence for an anti-TNF antibody or variable region (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:7, 8); and nucleic acid molecules which comprise a nucleotide sequence substantially different from those described above but which, due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, still encode at least one anti-TNF antibody as described herein and/or as known in the art. Of course, the genetic code is well known in the art. Thus, it would be routine for one skilled in the art to generate such degenerate nucleic acid variants that code for specific anti-TNF antibodies of the present invention. See, e.g., Ausubel, et al., supra, and such nucleic acid variants are included in the present invention. Non-limiting examples of isolated nucleic acid molecules of the present invention include SEQ ID NOS:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, corresponding to non-limiting examples of a nucleic acid encoding, respectively, HC CDR1, HC CDR2, HC CDR3, LC CDR1, LC CDR2, LC CDR3, HC variable region and LC variable region.

As indicated herein, nucleic acid molecules of the present invention which comprise a nucleic acid encoding an anti-TNF antibody can include, but are not limited to, those encoding the amino acid sequence of an antibody fragment, by itself; the coding sequence for the entire antibody or a portion thereof; the coding sequence for an antibody, fragment or portion, as well as additional sequences, such as the coding sequence of at least one signal leader or fusion peptide, with or without the aforementioned additional coding sequences, such as at least one intron, together with additional, non-coding sequences, including but not limited to, non-coding 5′ and 3′ sequences, such as the transcribed, non-translated sequences that play a role in transcription, mRNA processing, including splicing and polyadenylation signals (for example—ribosome binding and stability of mRNA); an additional coding sequence that codes for additional amino acids, such as those that provide additional functionalities. Thus, the sequence encoding an antibody can be fused to a marker sequence, such as a sequence encoding a peptide that facilitates purification of the fused antibody comprising an antibody fragment or portion.

Polynucleotides Which Selectively Hybridize to a Polynucleotide as Described Herein. The present invention provides isolated nucleic acids that hybridize under selective hybridization conditions to a polynucleotide disclosed herein. Thus, the polynucleotides of this embodiment can be used for isolating, detecting, and/or quantifying nucleic acids comprising such polynucleotides. For example, polynucleotides of the present invention can be used to identify, isolate, or amplify partial or full-length clones in a deposited library. In some embodiments, the polynucleotides are genomic or cDNA sequences isolated, or otherwise complementary to, a cDNA from a human or mammalian nucleic acid library.

Preferably, the cDNA library comprises at least 80% full-length sequences, preferably at least 85% or 90% full-length sequences, and more preferably at least 95% full-length sequences. The cDNA libraries can be normalized to increase the representation of rare sequences. Low or moderate stringency hybridization conditions are typically, but not exclusively, employed with sequences having a reduced sequence identity relative to complementary sequences. Moderate and high stringency conditions can optionally be employed for sequences of greater identity. Low stringency conditions allow selective hybridization of sequences having about 70% sequence identity and can be employed to identify orthologous or paralogous sequences.

Optionally, polynucleotides of this invention will encode at least a portion of an antibody encoded by the polynucleotides described herein. The polynucleotides of this invention embrace nucleic acid sequences that can be employed for selective hybridization to a polynucleotide encoding an antibody of the present invention. See, e.g., Ausubel, supra; Colligan, supra, each entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Construction of Nucleic Acids. The isolated nucleic acids of the present invention can be made using (a) recombinant methods, (b) synthetic techniques, (c) purification techniques, or combinations thereof, as well-known in the art.

The nucleic acids can conveniently comprise sequences in addition to a polynucleotide of the present invention. For example, a multi-cloning site comprising one or more endonuclease restriction sites can be inserted into the nucleic acid to aid in isolation of the polynucleotide. Also, translatable sequences can be inserted to aid in the isolation of the translated polynucleotide of the present invention. For example, a hexa-histidine marker sequence provides a convenient means to purify the proteins of the present invention. The nucleic acid of the present invention—excluding the coding sequence—is optionally a vector, adapter, or linker for cloning and/or expression of a polynucleotide of the present invention.

Additional sequences can be added to such cloning and/or expression sequences to optimize their function in cloning and/or expression, to aid in isolation of the polynucleotide, or to improve the introduction of the polynucleotide into a cell. Use of cloning vectors, expression vectors, adapters, and linkers is well known in the art. (See, e.g., Ausubel, supra; or Sambrook, supra).

Recombinant Methods for Constructing Nucleic Acids. The isolated nucleic acid compositions of this invention, such as RNA, cDNA, genomic DNA, or any combination thereof, can be obtained from biological sources using any number of cloning methodologies known to those of skill in the art. In some embodiments, oligonucleotide probes that selectively hybridize, under stringent conditions, to the polynucleotides of the present invention are used to identify the desired sequence in a cDNA or genomic DNA library. The isolation of RNA, and construction of cDNA and genomic libraries, is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. (See, e.g., Ausubel, supra; or Sambrook, supra).

Nucleic Acid Screening and Isolation Methods. A cDNA or genomic library can be screened using a probe based upon the sequence of a polynucleotide of the present invention, such as those disclosed herein. Probes can be used to hybridize with genomic DNA or cDNA sequences to isolate homologous genes in the same or different organisms. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that various degrees of stringency of hybridization can be employed in the assay; and either the hybridization or the wash medium can be stringent. As the conditions for hybridization become more stringent, there must be a greater degree of complementarity between the probe and the target for duplex formation to occur. The degree of stringency can be controlled by one or more of temperature, ionic strength, pH and the presence of a partially denaturing solvent such as formamide. For example, the stringency of hybridization is conveniently varied by changing the polarity of the reactant solution through, for example, manipulation of the concentration of formamide within the range of 0% to 50%. The degree of complementarity (sequence identity) required for detectable binding will vary in accordance with the stringency of the hybridization medium and/or wash medium. The degree of complementarity will optimally be 100%, or 70-100%, or any range or value therein. However, it should be understood that minor sequence variations in the probes and primers can be compensated for by reducing the stringency of the hybridization and/or wash medium.

Methods of amplification of RNA or DNA are well known in the art and can be used according to the present invention without undue experimentation, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein.

Known methods of DNA or RNA amplification include, but are not limited to, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and related amplification processes (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195, 4,683,202, 4,800,159, 4,965,188, to Mullis, et al.; 4,795,699 and 4,921,794 to Tabor, et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,033 to Innis; U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,464 to Wilson, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,310 to Innis; U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,584 to Gyllensten, et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,818 to Gelfand, et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,370 to Silver, et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,067 to Biswas; U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,134 to Ringold) and RNA mediated amplification that uses anti-sense RNA to the target sequence as a template for double-stranded DNA synthesis (U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,238 to Malek, et al, with the trade name NASBA), the entire contents of which references are incorporated herein by reference. (See, e.g., Ausubel, supra; or Sambrook, supra.)

For instance, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology can be used to amplify the sequences of polynucleotides of the present invention and related genes directly from genomic DNA or cDNA libraries. PCR and other in vitro amplification methods can also be useful, for example, to clone nucleic acid sequences that code for proteins to be expressed, to make nucleic acids to use as probes for detecting the presence of the desired mRNA in samples, for nucleic acid sequencing, or for other purposes. Examples of techniques sufficient to direct persons of skill through in vitro amplification methods are found in Berger, supra, Sambrook, supra, and Ausubel, supra, as well as Mullis, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202 (1987); and Innis, et al., PCR Protocols A Guide to Methods and Applications, Eds., Academic Press Inc., San Diego, Calif. (1990). Commercially available kits for genomic PCR amplification are known in the art. See, e.g., Advantage-GC Genomic PCR Kit (Clontech). Additionally, e.g., the T4 gene 32 protein (Boehringer Mannheim) can be used to improve yield of long PCR products.

Synthetic Methods for Constructing Nucleic Acids. The isolated nucleic acids of the present invention can also be prepared by direct chemical synthesis by known methods (see, e.g., Ausubel, et al., supra). Chemical synthesis generally produces a single-stranded oligonucleotide, which can be converted into double-stranded DNA by hybridization with a complementary sequence, or by polymerization with a DNA polymerase using the single strand as a template. One of skill in the art will recognize that while chemical synthesis of DNA can be limited to sequences of about 100 or more bases, longer sequences can be obtained by the ligation of shorter sequences.

Recombinant Expression Cassettes. The present invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes comprising a nucleic acid of the present invention. A nucleic acid sequence of the present invention, for example a cDNA or a genomic sequence encoding an antibody of the present invention, can be used to construct a recombinant expression cassette that can be introduced into at least one desired host cell. A recombinant expression cassette will typically comprise a polynucleotide of the present invention operably linked to transcriptional initiation regulatory sequences that will direct the transcription of the polynucleotide in the intended host cell. Both heterologous and non-heterologous (i.e., endogenous) promoters can be employed to direct expression of the nucleic acids of the present invention.

In some embodiments, isolated nucleic acids that serve as promoter, enhancer, or other elements can be introduced in the appropriate position (upstream, downstream or in intron) of a non-heterologous form of a polynucleotide of the present invention so as to up or down regulate expression of a polynucleotide of the present invention. For example, endogenous promoters can be altered in vivo or in vitro by mutation, deletion and/or substitution.

Vectors And Host Cells. The present invention also relates to vectors that include isolated nucleic acid molecules of the present invention, host cells that are genetically engineered with the recombinant vectors, and the production of at least one anti-TNF antibody by recombinant techniques, as is well known in the art. See, e.g., Sambrook, et al., supra; Ausubel, et al., supra, each entirely incorporated herein by reference.

The polynucleotides can optionally be joined to a vector containing a selectable marker for propagation in a host. Generally, a plasmid vector is introduced in a precipitate, such as a calcium phosphate precipitate, or in a complex with a charged lipid. If the vector is a virus, it can be packaged in vitro using an appropriate packaging cell line and then transduced into host cells.

The DNA insert should be operatively linked to an appropriate promoter. The expression constructs will further contain sites for transcription initiation, termination and, in the transcribed region, a ribosome binding site for translation. The coding portion of the mature transcripts expressed by the constructs will preferably include a translation initiating site at the beginning and a termination codon (e.g., UAA, UGA or UAG) appropriately positioned at the end of the mRNA to be translated, with UAA and UAG preferred for mammalian or eukaryotic cell expression.

Expression vectors will preferably but optionally include at least one selectable marker. Such markers include, e.g., but not limited to, methotrexate (MTX), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,399,216; 4,634,665; 4,656,134; 4,956,288; 5,149,636; 5,179,017, ampicillin, neomycin (G418), mycophenolic acid, or glutamine synthetase (GS, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,122,464; 5,770,359; 5,827,739) resistance for eukaryotic cell culture, and tetracycline or ampicillin resistance genes for culturing in E. coli and other bacteria or prokaryotics (the above patents are entirely incorporated hereby by reference). Appropriate culture mediums and conditions for the above-described host cells are known in the art. Suitable vectors will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan. Introduction of a vector construct into a host cell can be effected by calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-dextran mediated transfection, cationic lipid-mediated transfection, electroporation, transduction, infection or other known methods. Such methods are described in the art, such as Sambrook, supra, Chapters 1-4 and 16-18; Ausubel, supra, Chapters 1, 9, 13, 15, 16.

At least one antibody of the present invention can be expressed in a modified form, such as a fusion protein, and can include not only secretion signals, but also additional heterologous functional regions. For instance, a region of additional amino acids, particularly charged amino acids, can be added to the N-terminus of an antibody to improve stability and persistence in the host cell, during purification, or during subsequent handling and storage. Also, peptide moieties can be added to an antibody of the present invention to facilitate purification. Such regions can be removed prior to final preparation of an antibody or at least one fragment thereof. Such methods are described in many standard laboratory manuals, such as Sambrook, supra, Chapters 17.29-17.42 and 18.1-18.74; Ausubel, supra, Chapters 16, 17 and 18.

Those of ordinary skill in the art are knowledgeable in the numerous expression systems available for expression of a nucleic acid encoding a protein of the present invention.

Alternatively, nucleic acids of the present invention can be expressed in a host cell by turning on (by manipulation) in a host cell that contains endogenous DNA encoding an antibody of the present invention. Such methods are well known in the art, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,580,734, 5,641,670, 5,733,746, and 5,733,761, entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Illustrative of cell cultures useful for the production of the antibodies, specified portions or variants thereof, are mammalian cells. Mammalian cell systems often will be in the form of monolayers of cells although mammalian cell suspensions or bioreactors can also be used. A number of suitable host cell lines capable of expressing intact glycosylated proteins have been developed in the art, and include the COS-1 (e.g., ATCC CRL 1650), COS-7 (e.g., ATCC CRL-1651), HEK293, BHK21 (e.g., ATCC CRL-10), CHO (e.g., ATCC CRL 1610) and BSC-1 (e.g., ATCC CRL-26) cell lines, Cos-7 cells, CHO cells, hep G2 cells, P3X63Ag8.653, SP2/0-Ag14, 293 cells, HeLa cells and the like, which are readily available from, for example, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va. (www.atcc.org). Preferred host cells include cells of lymphoid origin such as myeloma and lymphoma cells. Particularly preferred host cells are P3X63Ag8.653 cells (ATCC Accession Number CRL-1580) and SP2/0-Ag14 cells (ATCC Accession Number CRL-1851). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the recombinant cell is a P3X63Ab8.653 or a SP2/0-Ag14 cell.

Expression vectors for these cells can include one or more of the following expression control sequences, such as, but not limited to an origin of replication; a promoter (e.g., late or early SV40 promoters, the CMV promoter (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,168,062; 5,385,839), an HSV tk promoter, a pgk (phosphoglycerate kinase) promoter, an EF-1 alpha promoter (U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,491), at least one human immunoglobulin promoter; an enhancer, and/or processing information sites, such as ribosome binding sites, RNA splice sites, polyadenylation sites (e.g., an SV40 large T Ag poly A addition site), and transcriptional terminator sequences. See, e.g., Ausubel et al., supra; Sambrook, et al., supra. Other cells useful for production of nucleic acids or proteins of the present invention are known and/or available, for instance, from the American Type Culture Collection Catalogue of Cell Lines and Hybridomas (www.atcc.org) or other known or commercial sources.

When eukaryotic host cells are employed, polyadenlyation or transcription terminator sequences are typically incorporated into the vector. An example of a terminator sequence is the polyadenlyation sequence from the bovine growth hormone gene. Sequences for accurate splicing of the transcript can also be included. An example of a splicing sequence is the VP1 intron from SV40 (Sprague, et al., J. Virol. 45:773-781 (1983)). Additionally, gene sequences to control replication in the host cell can be incorporated into the vector, as known in the art.

Purification of an Antibody. An anti-TNF antibody can be recovered and purified from recombinant cell cultures by well-known methods including, but not limited to, protein A purification, ammonium sulfate or ethanol precipitation, acid extraction, anion or cation exchange chromatography, phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography and lectin chromatography. High performance liquid chromatography (“HPLC”) can also be employed for purification. See, e.g., Colligan, Current Protocols in Immunology, or Current Protocols in Protein Science, John Wiley & Sons, NY, NY, (1997-2001), e.g., Chapters 1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, each entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Antibodies of the present invention include naturally purified products, products of chemical synthetic procedures, and products produced by recombinant techniques from a eukaryotic host, including, for example, yeast, higher plant, insect and mammalian cells. Depending upon the host employed in a recombinant production procedure, the antibody of the present invention can be glycosylated or can be non-glycosylated, with glycosylated preferred. Such methods are described in many standard laboratory manuals, such as Sambrook, supra, Sections 17.37-17.42; Ausubel, supra, Chapters 10, 12, 13, 16, 18 and 20, Colligan, Protein Science, supra, Chapters 12-14, all entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Anti-TNF Antibodies

The isolated antibodies of the present invention, comprising all of the heavy chain variable CDR regions of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2 and 3 and/or all of the light chain variable CDR regions of SEQ ID NOS:4, 5 and 6, comprise antibody amino acid sequences disclosed herein encoded by any suitable polynucleotide, or any isolated or prepared antibody. Preferably, the human antibody or antigen-binding fragment binds human TNF and, thereby partially or substantially neutralizes at least one biological activity of the protein. An antibody, or specified portion or variant thereof, that partially or preferably substantially neutralizes at least one biological activity of at least one TNF protein or fragment can bind the protein or fragment and thereby inhibit activities mediated through the binding of TNF to the TNF receptor or through other TNF-dependent or mediated mechanisms. As used herein, the term “neutralizing antibody” refers to an antibody that can inhibit an TNF-dependent activity by about 20-120%, preferably by at least about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100% or more depending on the assay. The capacity of an anti-TNF antibody to inhibit an TNF-dependent activity is preferably assessed by at least one suitable TNF protein or receptor assay, as described herein and/or as known in the art. A human antibody of the invention can be of any class (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, IgD, etc.) or isotype and can comprise a kappa or lambda light chain. In one embodiment, the human antibody comprises an IgG heavy chain or defined fragment, for example, at least one of isotypes, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4. Antibodies of this type can be prepared by employing a transgenic mouse or other transgenic non-human mammal comprising at least one human light chain (e.g., IgG, IgA) and IgM (e.g., γ1, γ2, γ3, γ4) transgenes as described herein and/or as known in the art. In another embodiment, the anti-human TNF human antibody comprises an IgG1 heavy chain and a IgG1 light chain.

As used herein, the terms “antibody” or “antibodies”, include biosimilar antibody molecules approved under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCI Act) and similar laws and regulations globally. Under the BPCI Act, an antibody may be demonstrated to be biosimilar if data show that it is “highly similar” to the reference product notwithstanding minor differences in clinically inactive components and are “expected” to produce the same clinical result as the reference product in terms of safety, purity and potency (Endocrine Practice: February 2018, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 195-204). These biosimilar antibody molecules are provided an abbreviated approval pathway, whereby the applicant relies upon the innovator reference product's clinical data to secure regulatory approval. Compared to the original innovator reference antibody that was FDA approved based on successful clinical trials, a biosimilar antibody molecule is referred to herein as a “follow-on biologic”. As presented herein, SIMPONI® (golimumab) is the original innovator reference anti-TNF antibody that was FDA approved based on successful clinical trials. Golimumab has been on sale in the United States since 2009.

At least one antibody of the invention binds at least one specified epitope specific to at least one TNF protein, subunit, fragment, portion or any combination thereof. The at least one epitope can comprise at least one antibody binding region that comprises at least one portion of said protein, which epitope is preferably comprised of at least one extracellular, soluble, hydrophilic, external or cytoplasmic portion of said protein. The at least one specified epitope can comprise any combination of at least one amino acid sequence of at least 1-3 amino acids to the entire specified portion of contiguous amino acids of the SEQ ID NO:9.

Generally, the human antibody or antigen-binding fragment of the present invention will comprise an antigen-binding region that comprises at least one human complementarity determining region (CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3) or variant of at least one heavy chain variable region and at least one human complementarity determining region (CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3) or variant of at least one light chain variable region. As a non-limiting example, the antibody or antigen-binding portion or variant can comprise at least one of the heavy chain CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, and/or a light chain CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. In a particular embodiment, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment can have an antigen-binding region that comprises at least a portion of at least one heavy chain CDR (i.e., CDR1, CDR2 and/or CDR3) having the amino acid sequence of the corresponding CDRs 1, 2 and/or 3 (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, and/or 3). In another particular embodiment, the antibody or antigen-binding portion or variant can have an antigen-binding region that comprises at least a portion of at least one light chain CDR (i.e., CDR1, CDR2 and/or CDR3) having the amino acid sequence of the corresponding CDRs 1, 2 and/or 3 (e.g., SEQ ID NOS: 4, 5, and/or 6). In a preferred embodiment the three heavy chain CDRs and the three light chain CDRs of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment have the amino acid sequence of the corresponding CDR of at least one of mAb TNV148, TNV14, TNV15, TNV196, TNV118, TNV32, TNV86, as described herein. Such antibodies can be prepared by chemically joining together the various portions (e.g., CDRs, framework) of the antibody using conventional techniques, by preparing and expressing a (i.e., one or more) nucleic acid molecule that encodes the antibody using conventional techniques of recombinant DNA technology or by using any other suitable method.

The anti-TNF antibody can comprise at least one of a heavy or light chain variable region having a defined amino acid sequence. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the anti-TNF antibody comprises at least one of heavy chain variable region, optionally having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 and/or at least one light chain variable region, optionally having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8. antibodies that bind to human TNF and that comprise a defined heavy or light chain variable region can be prepared using suitable methods, such as phage display (Katsube, Y., et al., Int J Mol. Med, 1(5):863-868 (1998)) or methods that employ transgenic animals, as known in the art and/or as described herein. For example, a transgenic mouse, comprising a functionally rearranged human immunoglobulin heavy chain transgene and a transgene comprising DNA from a human immunoglobulin light chain locus that can undergo functional rearrangement, can be immunized with human TNF or a fragment thereof to elicit the production of antibodies. If desired, the antibody producing cells can be isolated and hybridomas or other immortalized antibody-producing cells can be prepared as described herein and/or as known in the art. Alternatively, the antibody, specified portion or variant can be expressed using the encoding nucleic acid or portion thereof in a suitable host cell.

The invention also relates to antibodies, antigen-binding fragments, immunoglobulin chains and CDRs comprising amino acids in a sequence that is substantially the same as an amino acid sequence described herein. Preferably, such antibodies or antigen-binding fragments and antibodies comprising such chains or CDRs can bind human TNF with high affinity (e.g., K_(D) less than or equal to about 10⁻⁹ M). Amino acid sequences that are substantially the same as the sequences described herein include sequences comprising conservative amino acid substitutions, as well as amino acid deletions and/or insertions. A conservative amino acid substitution refers to the replacement of a first amino acid by a second amino acid that has chemical and/or physical properties (e.g., charge, structure, polarity, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity) that are similar to those of the first amino acid. Conservative substitutions include replacement of one amino acid by another within the following groups: lysine (K), arginine (R) and histidine (H); aspartate (D) and glutamate (E); asparagine (N), glutamine (Q), serine (S), threonine (T), tyrosine (Y), K, R, H, D and E; alanine (A), valine (V), leucine (L), isoleucine (I), proline (P), phenylalanine (F), tryptophan (W), methionine (M), cysteine (C) and glycine (G); F, W and Y; C, S and T.

Amino Acid Codes. The amino acids that make up anti-TNF antibodies of the present invention are often abbreviated. The amino acid designations can be indicated by designating the amino acid by its single letter code, its three letter code, name, or three nucleotide codon(s) as is well understood in the art (see Alberts, B., et al., Molecular Biology of The Cell, Third Ed., Garland Publishing, Inc., New York, 1994):

SINGLE THREE THREE LETTER LETTER NUCLEOTIDE CODE CODE NAME CODON(S) A Ala Alanine GCA, GCC, GCG, GCU C Cys Cysteine UGC, UGU D Asp Aspartic acid GAC, GAU E Glu Glutamic acid GAA, GAG F Phe Phenylanine UUC, UUU G Gly Glycine GGA, GGC, GGG, GGU H His Histidine CAC, CAU I Ile Isoleucine AUA, AUC, AUU K Lys Lysine AAA, AAG L Leu Leucine UUA, UUG, CUA, CUC, CUG, CUU M Met Methionine AUG N Asn Asparagine AAC, AAU P Pro Proline CCA, CCC, CCG, CCU Q Gln Glutamine CAA, CAG R Arg Arginine AGA, AGG, CGA, CGC, CGG, CGU S Ser Serine AGC, AGU, UCA, UCC, UCG, UCU T Thr Threonine ACA, ACC, ACG, ACU V Val Valine GUA, GUC, GUG, GUU W Trp Tryptophan UGG Y Tyr Tyrosine UAC, UAU

An anti-TNF antibody of the present invention can include one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions or additions, either from natural mutations or human manipulation, as specified herein.

Of course, the number of amino acid substitutions a skilled artisan would make depends on many factors, including those described above. Generally speaking, the number of amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions for any given anti-TNF antibody, fragment or variant will not be more than 40, 30, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, such as 1-30 or any range or value therein, as specified herein.

Amino acids in an anti-TNF antibody of the present invention that are essential for function can be identified by methods known in the art, such as site-directed mutagenesis or alanine-scanning mutagenesis (e.g., Ausubel, supra, Chapters 8, 15; Cunningham and Wells, Science 244:1081-1085 (1989)). The latter procedure introduces single alanine mutations at every residue in the molecule. The resulting mutant molecules are then tested for biological activity, such as, but not limited to at least one TNF neutralizing activity. Sites that are critical for antibody binding can also be identified by structural analysis such as crystallization, nuclear magnetic resonance or photoaffinity labeling (Smith, et al., J. Mol. Biol. 224:899-904 (1992) and de Vos, et al., Science 255:306-312 (1992)).

Anti-TNF antibodies of the present invention can include, but are not limited to, at least one portion, sequence or combination selected from 1 to all of the contiguous amino acids of at least one of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

A(n) anti-TNF antibody can further optionally comprise a polypeptide of at least one of 70-100% of the contiguous amino acids of at least one of SEQ ID NOS:7, 8.

In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of an immunoglobulin chain, or portion thereof (e.g., variable region, CDR) has about 70-100% identity (e.g., 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 or any range or value therein) to the amino acid sequence of the corresponding chain of at least one of SEQ ID NOS:7, 8. For example, the amino acid sequence of a light chain variable region can be compared with the sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, or the amino acid sequence of a heavy chain CDR3 can be compared with SEQ ID NO:7. Preferably, 70-100% amino acid identity (i.e., 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 or any range or value therein) is determined using a suitable computer algorithm, as known in the art.

Exemplary heavy chain and light chain variable regions sequences are provided in SEQ ID NOS: 7, 8. The antibodies of the present invention, or specified variants thereof, can comprise any number of contiguous amino acid residues from an antibody of the present invention, wherein that number is selected from the group of integers consisting of from 10-100% of the number of contiguous residues in an anti-TNF antibody. Optionally, this subsequence of contiguous amino acids is at least about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 or more amino acids in length, or any range or value therein. Further, the number of such subsequences can be any integer selected from the group consisting of from 1 to 20, such as at least 2, 3, 4, or 5.

As those of skill will appreciate, the present invention includes at least one biologically active antibody of the present invention. Biologically active antibodies have a specific activity at least 20%, 30%, or 40%, and preferably at least 50%, 60%, or 70%, and most preferably at least 80%, 90%, or 95%-1000% of that of the native (non-synthetic), endogenous or related and known antibody. Methods of assaying and quantifying measures of enzymatic activity and substrate specificity, are well known to those of skill in the art.

In another aspect, the invention relates to human antibodies and antigen-binding fragments, as described herein, which are modified by the covalent attachment of an organic moiety. Such modification can produce an antibody or antigen-binding fragment with improved pharmacokinetic properties (e.g., increased in vivo serum half-life). The organic moiety can be a linear or branched hydrophilic polymeric group, fatty acid group, or fatty acid ester group. In particular embodiments, the hydrophilic polymeric group can have a molecular weight of about 800 to about 120,000 Daltons and can be a polyalkane glycol (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG)), carbohydrate polymer, amino acid polymer or polyvinyl pyrolidone, and the fatty acid or fatty acid ester group can comprise from about eight to about forty carbon atoms.

The modified antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of the invention can comprise one or more organic moieties that are covalently bonded, directly or indirectly, to the antibody. Each organic moiety that is bonded to an antibody or antigen-binding fragment of the invention can independently be a hydrophilic polymeric group, a fatty acid group or a fatty acid ester group. As used herein, the term “fatty acid” encompasses mono-carboxylic acids and di-carboxylic acids. A “hydrophilic polymeric group,” as the term is used herein, refers to an organic polymer that is more soluble in water than in octane. For example, polylysine is more soluble in water than in octane. Thus, an antibody modified by the covalent attachment of polylysine is encompassed by the invention. Hydrophilic polymers suitable for modifying antibodies of the invention can be linear or branched and include, for example, polyalkane glycols (e.g., PEG, monomethoxy-polyethylene glycol (mPEG), PPG and the like), carbohydrates (e.g., dextran, cellulose, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and the like), polymers of hydrophilic amino acids (e.g., polylysine, polyarginine, polyaspartate and the like), polyalkane oxides (e.g., polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide and the like) and polyvinyl pyrolidone. Preferably, the hydrophilic polymer that modifies the antibody of the invention has a molecular weight of about 800 to about 150,000 Daltons as a separate molecular entity. For example, PEG₅₀₀₀ and PEG_(20,000), wherein the subscript is the average molecular weight of the polymer in Daltons, can be used. The hydrophilic polymeric group can be substituted with one to about six alkyl, fatty acid or fatty acid ester groups. Hydrophilic polymers that are substituted with a fatty acid or fatty acid ester group can be prepared by employing suitable methods. For example, a polymer comprising an amine group can be coupled to a carboxylate of the fatty acid or fatty acid ester, and an activated carboxylate (e.g., activated with N, N-carbonyl diimidazole) on a fatty acid or fatty acid ester can be coupled to a hydroxyl group on a polymer.

Fatty acids and fatty acid esters suitable for modifying antibodies of the invention can be saturated or can contain one or more units of unsaturation. Fatty acids that are suitable for modifying antibodies of the invention include, for example, n-dodecanoate (C₁₂, laurate), n-tetradecanoate (C₁₄, myristate), n-octadecanoate (Cis, stearate), n-eicosanoate (C₂₀, arachidate), n-docosanoate (C₂₂, behenate), n-triacontanoate (C₃₀), n-tetracontanoate (C₄₀), cis-Δ9-octadecanoate (Cis, oleate), all cis-Δ5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoate (C₂₀, arachidonate), octanedioic acid, tetradecanedioic acid, octadecanedioic acid, docosanedioic acid, and the like. Suitable fatty acid esters include mono-esters of dicarboxylic acids that comprise a linear or branched lower alkyl group. The lower alkyl group can comprise from one to about twelve, preferably one to about six, carbon atoms.

The modified human antibodies and antigen-binding fragments can be prepared using suitable methods, such as by reaction with one or more modifying agents. A “modifying agent” as the term is used herein, refers to a suitable organic group (e.g., hydrophilic polymer, a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester) that comprises an activating group. An “activating group” is a chemical moiety or functional group that can, under appropriate conditions, react with a second chemical group thereby forming a covalent bond between the modifying agent and the second chemical group. For example, amine-reactive activating groups include electrophilic groups such as tosylate, mesylate, halo (chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo), N-hydroxysuccinimidyl esters (NHS), and the like. Activating groups that can react with thiols include, for example, maleimide, iodoacetyl, acrylolyl, pyridyl disulfides, 5-thiol-2-nitrobenzoic acid thiol (TNB-thiol), and the like. An aldehyde functional group can be coupled to amine- or hydrazide-containing molecules, and an azide group can react with a trivalent phosphorous group to form phosphoramidate or phosphorimide linkages. Suitable methods to introduce activating groups into molecules are known in the art (see for example, Hermanson, G. T., Bioconjugate Techniques, Academic Press: San Diego, Calif. (1996)). An activating group can be bonded directly to the organic group (e.g., hydrophilic polymer, fatty acid, fatty acid ester), or through a linker moiety, for example a divalent C₁-C₁₂ group wherein one or more carbon atoms can be replaced by a heteroatom such as oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur. Suitable linker moieties include, for example, tetraethylene glycol, —(CH₂)₃—, —NH—(CH₂)₆—NH—, —(CH₂)₂—NH— and —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH—NH—. Modifying agents that comprise a linker moiety can be produced, for example, by reacting a mono-Boc-alkyldiamine (e.g., mono-Boc-ethylenediamine, mono-Boc-diaminohexane) with a fatty acid in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) to form an amide bond between the free amine and the fatty acid carboxylate. The Boc protecting group can be removed from the product by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to expose a primary amine that can be coupled to another carboxylate as described, or can be reacted with maleic anhydride and the resulting product cyclized to produce an activated maleimido derivative of the fatty acid. (See, for example, Thompson, et al., WO 92/16221 the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.)

The modified antibodies of the invention can be produced by reacting a human antibody or antigen-binding fragment with a modifying agent. For example, the organic moieties can be bonded to the antibody in a non site-specific manner by employing an amine-reactive modifying agent, for example, an NHS ester of PEG. Modified human antibodies or antigen-binding fragments can also be prepared by reducing disulfide bonds (e.g., intra-chain disulfide bonds) of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment. The reduced antibody or antigen-binding fragment can then be reacted with a thiol-reactive modifying agent to produce the modified antibody of the invention. Modified human antibodies and antigen-binding fragments comprising an organic moiety that is bonded to specific sites of an antibody of the present invention can be prepared using suitable methods, such as reverse proteolysis (Fisch et al., Bioconjugate Chem., 3:147-153 (1992); Werlen et al., Bioconjugate Chem., 5:411-417 (1994); Kumaran et al., Protein Sci. 6(10):2233-2241 (1997); Itoh et al., Bioorg. Chem., 24(1): 59-68 (1996); Capellas et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng., 56(4):456-463 (1997)), and the methods described in Hermanson, G. T., Bioconjugate Techniques, Academic Press: San Diego, Calif. (1996).

Anti-Idiotype Antibodies To Anti-TNF Antibody Compositions. In addition to monoclonal or chimeric anti-TNF antibodies, the present invention is also directed to an anti-idiotypic (anti-Id) antibody specific for such antibodies of the invention. An anti-Id antibody is an antibody which recognizes unique determinants generally associated with the antigen-binding region of another antibody. The anti-Id can be prepared by immunizing an animal of the same species and genetic type (e.g. mouse strain) as the source of the Id antibody with the antibody or a CDR containing region thereof. The immunized animal will recognize and respond to the idiotypic determinants of the immunizing antibody and produce an anti-Id antibody. The anti-Id antibody may also be used as an “immunogen” to induce an immune response in yet another animal, producing a so-called anti-anti-Id antibody.

Anti-TNF Antibody Compositions. The present invention also provides at least one anti-TNF antibody composition comprising at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six or more anti-TNF antibodies thereof, as described herein and/or as known in the art that are provided in a non-naturally occurring composition, mixture or form. Such compositions comprise non-naturally occurring compositions comprising at least one or two full length, C- and/or N-terminally deleted variants, domains, fragments, or specified variants, of the anti-TNF antibody amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of 70-100% of the contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or specified fragments, domains or variants thereof. Preferred anti-TNF antibody compositions include at least one or two full length, fragments, domains or variants as at least one CDR or LBR containing portions of the anti-TNF antibody sequence of 70-100% of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or specified fragments, domains or variants thereof. Further preferred compositions comprise 40-99% of at least one of 70-100% of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or specified fragments, domains or variants thereof. Such composition percentages are by weight, volume, concentration, molarity, or molality as liquid or dry solutions, mixtures, suspension, emulsions or colloids, as known in the art or as described herein.

Anti-TNF antibody compositions of the present invention can further comprise at least one of any suitable and effective amount of a composition or pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one anti-TNF antibody to a cell, tissue, organ, animal or patient in need of such modulation, treatment or therapy, optionally further comprising at least one selected from at least one TNF antagonist (e.g., but not limited to a TNF antibody or fragment, a soluble TNF receptor or fragment, fusion proteins thereof, or a small molecule TNF antagonist), an antirheumatic (e.g., methotrexate, auranofin, aurothioglucose, azathioprine, etanercept, gold sodium thiomalate, hydroxychloroquine sulfate, leflunomide, sulfasalzine), a muscle relaxant, a narcotic, a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), an analgesic, an anesthetic, a sedative, a local anethetic, a neuromuscular blocker, an antimicrobial (e.g., aminoglycoside, an antifungal, an antiparasitic, an antiviral, a carbapenem, cephalosporin, a flurorquinolone, a macrolide, a penicillin, a sulfonamide, a tetracycline, another antimicrobial), an antipsoriatic, a corticosteriod, an anabolic steroid, a diabetes related agent, a mineral, a nutritional, a thyroid agent, a vitamin, a calcium related hormone, an antidiarrheal, an antitussive, an antiemetic, an antiulcer, a laxative, an anticoagulant, an erythropieitin (e.g., epoetin alpha), a filgrastim (e.g., G-CSF, Neupogen), a sargramostim (GM-CSF, Leukine), an immunization, an immunoglobulin, an immunosuppressive (e.g., basiliximab, cyclosporine, daclizumab), a growth hormone, a hormone replacement drug, an estrogen receptor modulator, a mydriatic, a cycloplegic, an alkylating agent, an antimetabolite, a mitotic inhibitor, a radiopharmaceutical, an antidepressant, antimanic agent, an antipsychotic, an anxiolytic, a hypnotic, a sympathomimetic, a stimulant, donepezil, tacrine, an asthma medication, a beta agonist, an inhaled steroid, a leukotriene inhibitor, a methylxanthine, a cromolyn, an epinephrine or analog, dornase alpha (Pulmozyme), a cytokine or a cytokine antagonist. Non-limiting examples of such cytokines include, but are not limited to, any of IL-1 to IL-23. Suitable dosages are well known in the art. See, e.g., Wells et al., eds., Pharmacotherapy Handbook, 2^(nd) Edition, Appleton and Lange, Stamford, Conn. (2000); PDR Pharmacopoeia, Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2000, Deluxe Edition, Tarascon Publishing, Loma Linda, Calif. (2000), each of which references are entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Such anti-cancer or anti-infectives can also include toxin molecules that are associated, bound, co-formulated or co-administered with at least one antibody of the present invention. The toxin can optionally act to selectively kill the pathologic cell or tissue. The pathologic cell can be a cancer or other cell. Such toxins can be, but are not limited to, purified or recombinant toxin or toxin fragment comprising at least one functional cytotoxic domain of toxin, e.g., selected from at least one of ricin, diphtheria toxin, a venom toxin, or a bacterial toxin. The term toxin also includes both endotoxins and exotoxins produced by any naturally occurring, mutant or recombinant bacteria or viruses which may cause any pathological condition in humans and other mammals, including toxin shock, which can result in death. Such toxins may include, but are not limited to, enterotoxigenic E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT), heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), Shigella cytotoxin, Aeromonas enterotoxins, toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), B (SEB), or C (SEC), Streptococcal enterotoxins and the like. Such bacteria include, but are not limited to, strains of a species of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enterohemorrhagic E. coli (e.g., strains of serotype O157:H7), Staphylococcus species (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pyogenes), Shigella species (e.g., Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri, Shigella boydii, and Shigella sonnei), Salmonella species (e.g., Salmonella typhi, Salmonella cholera-suis, Salmonella enteritidis), Clostridium species (e.g., Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium dificile, Clostridium botulinum), Camphlobacter species (e.g., Camphlobacter jejuni, Camphlobacter fetus), Helicobacter species, (e.g., Helicobacter pylori), Aeromonas species (e.g., Aeromonas sobria, Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas caviae), Pleisomonas shigelloides, Yersinia enterocolitica, Vibrio species (e.g., Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahemolyticus), Klebsiella species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococci. See, e.g., Stein, ed., INTERNAL MEDICINE, 3rd ed., pp 1-13, Little, Brown and Co., Boston, (1990); Evans et al., eds., Bacterial Infections of Humans: Epidemiology and Control, 2d. Ed., pp 239-254, Plenum Medical Book Co., New York (1991); Mandell et al, Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 3d. Ed., Churchill Livingstone, New York (1990); Berkow et al, eds., The Merck Manual, 16th edition, Merck and Co., Rahway, N.J., 1992; Wood et al, FEMS Microbiology Immunology, 76:121-134 (1991); Marrack et al, Science, 248:705-711 (1990), the contents of which references are incorporated entirely herein by reference.

Anti-TNF antibody compounds, compositions or combinations of the present invention can further comprise at least one of any suitable auxiliary, such as, but not limited to, diluent, binder, stabilizer, buffers, salts, lipophilic solvents, preservative, adjuvant or the like. Pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliaries are preferred. Non-limiting examples of, and methods of preparing such sterile solutions are well known in the art, such as, but limited to, Gennaro, Ed., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18^(th), Edition, Mack Publishing Co. (Easton, Pa.) 1990. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be routinely selected that are suitable for the mode of administration, solubility and/or stability of the anti-TNF antibody, fragment or variant composition as well known in the art or as described herein.

Pharmaceutical excipients and additives useful in the present composition include but are not limited to proteins, peptides, amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates (e.g., sugars, including monosaccharides, di-, tri-, tetra-, and oligosaccharides; derivatized sugars such as alditols, aldonic acids, esterified sugars and the like; and polysaccharides or sugar polymers), which can be present singly or in combination, comprising alone or in combination 1-99.99% by weight or volume. Exemplary protein excipients include serum albumin such as human serum albumin (HSA), recombinant human albumin (rHA), gelatin, casein, and the like. Representative amino acid/antibody components, which can also function in a buffering capacity, include alanine, glycine, arginine, betaine, histidine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, cysteine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, methionine, phenylalanine, aspartame, and the like. One preferred amino acid is glycine.

Carbohydrate excipients suitable for use in the invention include, for example, monosaccharides such as fructose, maltose, galactose, glucose, D-mannose, sorbose, and the like; disaccharides, such as lactose, sucrose, trehalose, cellobiose, and the like; polysaccharides, such as raffinose, melezitose, maltodextrins, dextrans, starches, and the like; and alditols, such as mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol sorbitol (glucitol), myoinositol and the like. Preferred carbohydrate excipients for use in the present invention are mannitol, trehalose, and raffinose.

Anti-TNF antibody compositions can also include a buffer or a pH adjusting agent; typically, the buffer is a salt prepared from an organic acid or base. Representative buffers include organic acid salts such as salts of citric acid, ascorbic acid, gluconic acid, carbonic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, or phthalic acid; Tris, tromethamine hydrochloride, or phosphate buffers. Preferred buffers for use in the present compositions are organic acid salts such as citrate.

Additionally, anti-TNF antibody compositions of the invention can include polymeric excipients/additives such as polyvinylpyrrolidones, ficolls (a polymeric sugar), dextrates (e.g., cyclodextrins, such as 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin), polyethylene glycols, flavoring agents, antimicrobial agents, sweeteners, antioxidants, antistatic agents, surfactants (e.g., polysorbates such as “TWEEN 20” and “TWEEN 80”), lipids (e.g., phospholipids, fatty acids), steroids (e.g., cholesterol), and chelating agents (e.g., EDTA).

These and additional known pharmaceutical excipients and/or additives suitable for use in the anti-TNF antibody, portion or variant compositions according to the invention are known in the art, e.g., as listed in “Remington: The Science & Practice of Pharmacy”, 19^(th) ed., Williams & Williams, (1995), and in the “Physician's Desk Reference”, 52^(nd) ed., Medical Economics, Montvale, N.J. (1998), the disclosures of which are entirely incorporated herein by reference. Preferred carrier or excipient materials are carbohydrates (e.g., saccharides and alditols) and buffers (e.g., citrate) or polymeric agents.

Formulations. As noted above, the invention provides for stable formulations, which is preferably a phosphate buffer with saline or a chosen salt, as well as preserved solutions and formulations containing a preservative as well as multi-use preserved formulations suitable for pharmaceutical or veterinary use, comprising at least one anti-TNF antibody in a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation. Preserved formulations contain at least one known preservative or optionally selected from the group consisting of at least one phenol, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-cresol, chlorocresol, benzyl alcohol, phenylmercuric nitrite, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde, chlorobutanol, magnesium chloride (e.g., hexahydrate), alkylparaben (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and the like), benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, sodium dehydroacetate and thimerosal, or mixtures thereof in an aqueous diluent. Any suitable concentration or mixture can be used as known in the art, such as 0.001-5%, or any range or value therein, such as, but not limited to 0.001, 0.003, 0.005, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, or any range or value therein. Non-limiting examples include, no preservative, 0.1-2% m-cresol (e.g., 0.2, 0.3. 0.4, 0.5, 0.9, 1.0%), 0.1-3% benzyl alcohol (e.g., 0.5, 0.9, 1.1, 1.5, 1.9, 2.0, 2.5%), 0.001-0.5% thimerosal (e.g., 0.005, 0.01), 0.001-2.0% phenol (e.g., 0.05, 0.25, 0.28, 0.5, 0.9, 1.0%), 0.0005-1.0% alkylparaben(s) (e.g., 0.00075, 0.0009, 0.001, 0.002, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.075, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 0.9, 1.0%), and the like.

As noted above, the invention provides an article of manufacture, comprising packaging material and at least one vial comprising a solution of at least one anti-TNF antibody with the prescribed buffers and/or preservatives, optionally in an aqueous diluent, wherein said packaging material comprises a label that indicates that such solution can be held over a period of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 18, 20, 24, 30, 36, 40, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72 hours or greater. The invention further comprises an article of manufacture, comprising packaging material, a first vial comprising lyophilized at least one anti-TNF antibody, and a second vial comprising an aqueous diluent of prescribed buffer or preservative, wherein said packaging material comprises a label that instructs a patient to reconstitute the at least one anti-TNF antibody in the aqueous diluent to form a solution that can be held over a period of twenty-four hours or greater.

The at least one anti-TNF antibody used in accordance with the present invention can be produced by recombinant means, including from mammalian cell or transgenic preparations, or can be purified from other biological sources, as described herein or as known in the art.

The range of at least one anti-TNF antibody in the product of the present invention includes amounts yielding upon reconstitution, if in a wet/dry system, concentrations from about 1.0 μg/ml to about 1000 mg/ml, although lower and higher concentrations are operable and are dependent on the intended delivery vehicle, e.g., solution formulations will differ from transdermal patch, pulmonary, transmucosal, or osmotic or micro pump methods.

Preferably, the aqueous diluent optionally further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable preservative. Preferred preservatives include those selected from the group consisting of phenol, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-cresol, chlorocresol, benzyl alcohol, alkylparaben (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and the like), benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, sodium dehydroacetate and thimerosal, or mixtures thereof. The concentration of preservative used in the formulation is a concentration sufficient to yield an anti-microbial effect. Such concentrations are dependent on the preservative selected and are readily determined by the skilled artisan.

Other excipients, e.g. isotonicity agents, buffers, antioxidants, preservative enhancers, can be optionally and preferably added to the diluent. An isotonicity agent, such as glycerin, is commonly used at known concentrations. A physiologically tolerated buffer is preferably added to provide improved pH control. The formulations can cover a wide range of pHs, such as from about pH 4 to about pH 10, and preferred ranges from about pH 5 to about pH 9, and a most preferred range of about 6.0 to about 8.0. Preferably the formulations of the present invention have pH between about 6.8 and about 7.8. Preferred buffers include phosphate buffers, most preferably sodium phosphate, particularly phosphate buffered saline (PBS).

Other additives, such as a pharmaceutically acceptable solubilizers like Tween 20 (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate), Tween 40 (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate), Tween 80 (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate), Pluronic F68 (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers), and PEG (polyethylene glycol) or non-ionic surfactants such as polysorbate 20 or 80 or poloxamer 184 or 188, Pluronic® polyols, other block co-polymers, and chelators such as EDTA and EGTA can optionally be added to the formulations or compositions to reduce aggregation. These additives are particularly useful if a pump or plastic container is used to administer the formulation. The presence of pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant mitigates the propensity for the protein to aggregate.

The formulations of the present invention can be prepared by a process which comprises mixing at least one anti-TNF antibody and a preservative selected from the group consisting of phenol, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-cresol, chlorocresol, benzyl alcohol, alkylparaben, (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and the like), benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, sodium dehydroacetate and thimerosal or mixtures thereof in an aqueous diluent. Mixing the at least one anti-TNF antibody and preservative in an aqueous diluent is carried out using conventional dissolution and mixing procedures. To prepare a suitable formulation, for example, a measured amount of at least one anti-TNF antibody in buffered solution is combined with the desired preservative in a buffered solution in quantities sufficient to provide the protein and preservative at the desired concentrations. Variations of this process would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the order the components are added, whether additional additives are used, the temperature and pH at which the formulation is prepared, are all factors that can be optimized for the concentration and means of administration used.

The claimed formulations can be provided to patients as clear solutions or as dual vials comprising a vial of lyophilized at least one anti-TNF antibody that is reconstituted with a second vial containing water, a preservative and/or excipients, preferably a phosphate buffer and/or saline and a chosen salt, in an aqueous diluent. Either a single solution vial or dual vial requiring reconstitution can be reused multiple times and can suffice for a single or multiple cycles of patient treatment and thus can provide a more convenient treatment regimen than currently available.

The present claimed articles of manufacture are useful for administration over a period of immediately to twenty-four hours or greater. Accordingly, the presently claimed articles of manufacture offer significant advantages to the patient. Formulations of the invention can optionally be safely stored at temperatures of from about 2 to about 40° C. and retain the biologically activity of the protein for extended periods of time, thus, allowing a package label indicating that the solution can be held and/or used over a period of 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72, or 96 hours or greater. If preserved diluent is used, such label can include use up to 1-12 months, one-half, one and a half, and/or two years.

The solutions of at least one anti-TNF antibody in the invention can be prepared by a process that comprises mixing at least one antibody in an aqueous diluent. Mixing is carried out using conventional dissolution and mixing procedures. To prepare a suitable diluent, for example, a measured amount of at least one antibody in water or buffer is combined in quantities sufficient to provide the protein and optionally a preservative or buffer at the desired concentrations. Variations of this process would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the order the components are added, whether additional additives are used, the temperature and pH at which the formulation is prepared, are all factors that can be optimized for the concentration and means of administration used.

The claimed products can be provided to patients as clear solutions or as dual vials comprising a vial of lyophilized at least one anti-TNF antibody that is reconstituted with a second vial containing the aqueous diluent. Either a single solution vial or dual vial requiring reconstitution can be reused multiple times and can suffice for a single or multiple cycles of patient treatment and thus provides a more convenient treatment regimen than currently available.

The claimed products can be provided indirectly to patients by providing to pharmacies, clinics, or other such institutions and facilities, clear solutions or dual vials comprising a vial of lyophilized at least one anti-TNF antibody that is reconstituted with a second vial containing the aqueous diluent. The clear solution in this case can be up to one liter or even larger in size, providing a large reservoir from which smaller portions of the at least one antibody solution can be retrieved one or multiple times for transfer into smaller vials and provided by the pharmacy or clinic to their customers and/or patients.

Recognized devices comprising these single vial systems include those pen-injector devices for delivery of a solution such as BD Pens, BD Autojector®, Humaject® NovoPen®, B-D®Pen, AutoPen®, and OptiPen®, GenotropinPen®, Genotronorm Pen®, Humatro Pen®, Reco-Pen®, Roferon Pen®, Biojector®, Iject®, J-tip Needle-Free Injector®, Intraject®, Medi-Ject®, e.g., as made or developed by Becton Dickensen (Franklin Lakes, N.J., www.bectondickenson.com), Disetronic (Burgdorf, Switzerland, www.disetronic.com; Bioject, Portland, Oreg. (www.bioject.com); National Medical Products, Weston Medical (Peterborough, UK, www.weston-medical.com), Medi-Ject Corp (Minneapolis, Minn., www.mediject.com). Recognized devices comprising a dual vial system include those pen-injector systems for reconstituting a lyophilized drug in a cartridge for delivery of the reconstituted solution such as the HumatroPen®.

The products presently claimed include packaging material. The packaging material provides, in addition to the information required by the regulatory agencies, the conditions under which the product can be used. The packaging material of the present invention provides instructions to the patient to reconstitute the at least one anti-TNF antibody in the aqueous diluent to form a solution and to use the solution over a period of 2-24 hours or greater for the two vial, wet/dry, product. For the single vial, solution product, the label indicates that such solution can be used over a period of 2-24 hours or greater. The presently claimed products are useful for human pharmaceutical product use.

The formulations of the present invention can be prepared by a process that comprises mixing at least one anti-TNF antibody and a selected buffer, preferably a phosphate buffer containing saline or a chosen salt. Mixing the at least one antibody and buffer in an aqueous diluent is carried out using conventional dissolution and mixing procedures. To prepare a suitable formulation, for example, a measured amount of at least one antibody in water or buffer is combined with the desired buffering agent in water in quantities sufficient to provide the protein and buffer at the desired concentrations. Variations of this process would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the order the components are added, whether additional additives are used, the temperature and pH at which the formulation is prepared, are all factors that can be optimized for the concentration and means of administration used.

The claimed stable or preserved formulations can be provided to patients as clear solutions or as dual vials comprising a vial of lyophilized at least one anti-TNF antibody that is reconstituted with a second vial containing a preservative or buffer and excipients in an aqueous diluent. Either a single solution vial or dual vial requiring reconstitution can be reused multiple times and can suffice for a single or multiple cycles of patient treatment and thus provides a more convenient treatment regimen than currently available.

At least one anti-TNF antibody in either the stable or preserved formulations or solutions described herein, can be administered to a patient in accordance with the present invention via a variety of delivery methods including SC or IM injection; transdermal, pulmonary, transmucosal, implant, osmotic pump, cartridge, micro pump, or other means appreciated by the skilled artisan, as well-known in the art.

Therapeutic Applications. The present invention also provides a method for modulating or treating at least one TNF related disease, in a cell, tissue, organ, animal, or patient, as known in the art or as described herein, using at least one dual integrin antibody of the present invention.

The present invention also provides a method for modulating or treating at least one TNF related disease, in a cell, tissue, organ, animal, or patient including, but not limited to, at least one of obesity, an immune related disease, a cardiovascular disease, an infectious disease, a malignant disease or a neurologic disease.

The present invention also provides a method for modulating or treating at least one immune related disease, in a cell, tissue, organ, animal, or patient including, but not limited to, at least one of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile, systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, ankylosing spondilitis, gastric ulcer, seronegative arthropathies, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, systemic lupus erythematosis, antiphospholipid syndrome, iridocyclitis/uveitis/optic neuritis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, systemic vasculitis/wegener's granulomatosis, sarcoidosis, orchitis/vasectomy reversal procedures, allergic/atopic diseases, asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, transplants, organ transplant rejection, graft-versus-host disease, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis syndrome, gram positive sepsis, gram negative sepsis, culture negative sepsis, fungal sepsis, neutropenic fever, urosepsis, meningococcemia, trauma/hemorrhage, burns, ionizing radiation exposure, acute pancreatitis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, alcohol-induced hepatitis, chronic inflammatory pathologies, sarcoidosis, Crohn's pathology, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, nephrosis, atopic diseases, hypersensitivity reactions, allergic rhinitis, hay fever, perennial rhinitis, conjunctivitis, endometriosis, asthma, urticaria, systemic anaphylaxis, dermatitis, pernicious anemia, hemolytic disease, thrombocytopenia, graft rejection of any organ or tissue, kidney transplant rejection, heart transplant rejection, liver transplant rejection, pancreas transplant rejection, lung transplant rejection, bone marrow transplant (BMT) rejection, skin allograft rejection, cartilage transplant rejection, bone graft rejection, small bowel transplant rejection, fetal thymus implant rejection, parathyroid transplant rejection, xenograft rejection of any organ or tissue, allograft rejection, anti-receptor hypersensitivity reactions, Graves disease, Raynoud's disease, type B insulin-resistant diabetes, asthma, myasthenia gravis, antibody-meditated cytotoxicity, type III hypersensitivity reactions, systemic lupus erythematosus, POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes syndrome), polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, skin changes syndrome, antiphospholipid syndrome, pemphigus, scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, idiopathic Addison's disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic active hepatitis, primary billiary cirrhosis, vitiligo, vasculitis, post-MI cardiotomy syndrome, type IV hypersensitivity, contact dermatitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allograft rejection, granulomas due to intracellular organisms, drug sensitivity, metabolic/idiopathic, Wilson's disease, hemachromatosis, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, diabetic retinopathy, hashimoto's thyroiditis, osteoporosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, thyroiditis, encephalomyelitis, cachexia, cystic fibrosis, neonatal chronic lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), familial hematophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, dermatologic conditions, psoriasis, alopecia, nephrotic syndrome, nephritis, glomerular nephritis, acute renal failure, hemodialysis, uremia, toxicity, preeclampsia, okt3 therapy, anti-cd3 therapy, cytokine therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy (e.g., including but not limited to asthenia, anemia, cachexia, and the like), chronic salicylate intoxication, and the like. See, e.g., the Merck Manual, 12th-17th Editions, Merck & Company, Rahway, N.J. (1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1999), Pharmacotherapy Handbook, Wells et al., eds., Second Edition, Appleton and Lange, Stamford, Conn. (1998, 2000), each entirely incorporated by reference.

The present invention also provides a method for modulating or treating at least one cardiovascular disease in a cell, tissue, organ, animal, or patient, including, but not limited to, at least one of cardiac stun syndrome, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke, ischemic stroke, hemorrhage, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, restenosis, diabetic arteriosclerotic disease, hypertension, arterial hypertension, renovascular hypertension, syncope, shock, syphilis of the cardiovascular system, heart failure, cor pulmonale, primary pulmonary hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, atrial ectopic beats, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation (sustained or paroxysmal), post perfusion syndrome, cardiopulmonary bypass inflammation response, chaotic or multifocal atrial tachycardia, regular narrow QRS tachycardia, specific arrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation, His bundle arrhythmias, atrioventricular block, bundle branch block, myocardial ischemic disorders, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, dilated congestive cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, valvular heart diseases, endocarditis, pericardial disease, cardiac tumors, aortic and peripheral aneurysms, aortic dissection, inflammation of the aorta, occlusion of the abdominal aorta and its branches, peripheral vascular disorders, occlusive arterial disorders, peripheral atherosclerotic disease, thromboangitis obliterans, functional peripheral arterial disorders, Raynaud's phenomenon and disease, acrocyanosis, erythromelalgia, venous diseases, venous thrombosis, varicose veins, arteriovenous fistula, lymphedema, lipedema, unstable angina, reperfusion injury, post pump syndrome, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the like. Such a method can optionally comprise administering an effective amount of a composition or pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one anti-TNF antibody to a cell, tissue, organ, animal or patient in need of such modulation, treatment or therapy.

The present invention also provides a method for modulating or treating at least one infectious disease in a cell, tissue, organ, animal or patient, including, but not limited to, at least one of: acute or chronic bacterial infection, acute and chronic parasitic or infectious processes, including bacterial, viral and fungal infections, HIV infection/HIV neuropathy, meningitis, hepatitis (A, B or C, or the like), septic arthritis, peritonitis, pneumonia, epiglottitis, E. coli 0157:h7, hemolytic uremic syndrome/thrombolytic thrombocytopenic purpura, malaria, dengue hemorrhagic fever, leishmaniasis, leprosy, toxic shock syndrome, streptococcal myositis, gas gangrene, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium intracellulare, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, pelvic inflammatory disease, orchitis/epidydimitis, Legionella, lyme disease, influenza a, epstein-barr virus, viral-associated hemaphagocytic syndrome, vital encephalitis/aseptic meningitis, and the like.

The present invention also provides a method for modulating or treating at least one malignant disease in a cell, tissue, organ, animal or patient, including, but not limited to, at least one of: leukemia, acute leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), B-cell, T-cell or FAB ALL, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), hairy cell leukemia, myelodyplastic syndrome (MDS), a lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, a malignant lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, Kaposi's sarcoma, colorectal carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, malignant histiocytosis, paraneoplastic syndrome/hypercalcemia of malignancy, solid tumors, adenocarcinomas, sarcomas, malignant melanoma, hemangioma, metastatic disease, cancer related bone resorption, cancer related bone pain, and the like.

The present invention also provides a method for modulating or treating at least one neurologic disease in a cell, tissue, organ, animal or patient, including, but not limited to, at least one of: neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis, migraine headache, AIDS dementia complex, demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and acute transverse myelitis; extrapyramidal and cerebellar disorders' such as lesions of the corticospinal system; disorders of the basal ganglia or cerebellar disorders; hyperkinetic movement disorders such as Huntington's Chorea and senile chorea; drug-induced movement disorders, such as those induced by drugs which block CNS dopamine receptors; hypokinetic movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease; Progressive supranucleo Palsy; structural lesions of the cerebellum; spinocerebellar degenerations, such as spinal ataxia, Friedreich's ataxia, cerebellar cortical degenerations, multiple systems degenerations (Mencel, Dejerine-Thomas, Shi-Drager, and Machado-Joseph); systemic disorders (Refsum's disease, abetalipoprotemia, ataxia, telangiectasiaa, and mitochondrial multisystem disorder); demyelinating core disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, acute transverse myelitis; and disorders of the motor unit' such as neurogenic muscular atrophies (anterior horn cell degeneration, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, infantile spinal muscular atrophy and juvenile spinal muscular atrophy); Alzheimer's disease; Down's Syndrome in middle age; Diffuse Lewy body disease; Senile Dementia of Lewy body type; Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome; chronic alcoholism; Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, Hallerrorden-Spatz disease; and Dementia pugilistica, and the like. Such a method can optionally comprise administering an effective amount of a composition or pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one TNF antibody or specified portion or variant to a cell, tissue, organ, animal or patient in need of such modulation, treatment or therapy. See, e.g., the Merck Manual, 16^(th) Edition, Merck & Company, Rahway, N.J. (1992)

Any method of the present invention can comprise administering an effective amount of a composition or pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one anti-TNF antibody to a cell, tissue, organ, animal or patient in need of such modulation, treatment or therapy. Such a method can optionally further comprise co-administration or combination therapy for treating such immune diseases, wherein the administering of said at least one anti-TNF antibody, specified portion or variant thereof, further comprises administering, before concurrently, and/or after, at least one selected from at least one TNF antagonist (e.g., but not limited to a TNF antibody or fragment, a soluble TNF receptor or fragment, fusion proteins thereof, or a small molecule TNF antagonist), an antirheumatic (e.g., methotrexate, auranofin, aurothioglucose, azathioprine, etanercept, gold sodium thiomalate, hydroxychloroquine sulfate, leflunomide, sulfasalzine), a muscle relaxant, a narcotic, a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), an analgesic, an anesthetic, a sedative, a local anethetic, a neuromuscular blocker, an antimicrobial (e.g., aminoglycoside, an antifungal, an antiparasitic, an antiviral, a carbapenem, cephalosporin, a flurorquinolone, a macrolide, a penicillin, a sulfonamide, a tetracycline, another antimicrobial), an antipsoriatic, a corticosteriod, an anabolic steroid, a diabetes related agent, a mineral, a nutritional, a thyroid agent, a vitamin, a calcium related hormone, an antidiarrheal, an antitussive, an antiemetic, an antiulcer, a laxative, an anticoagulant, an erythropieitin (e.g., epoetin alpha), a filgrastim (e.g., G-CSF, Neupogen), a sargramostim (GM-CSF, Leukine), an immunization, an immunoglobulin, an immunosuppressive (e.g., basiliximab, cyclosporine, daclizumab), a growth hormone, a hormone replacement drug, an estrogen receptor modulator, a mydriatic, a cycloplegic, an alkylating agent, an antimetabolite, a mitotic inhibitor, a radiopharmaceutical, an antidepressant, antimanic agent, an antipsychotic, an anxiolytic, a hypnotic, a sympathomimetic, a stimulant, donepezil, tacrine, an asthma medication, a beta agonist, an inhaled steroid, a leukotriene inhibitor, a methylxanthine, a cromolyn, an epinephrine or analog, dornase alpha (Pulmozyme), a cytokine or a cytokine antagonist. Suitable dosages are well known in the art. See, e.g., Wells et al., eds., Pharmacotherapy Handbook, 2^(nd) Edition, Appleton and Lange, Stamford, Conn. (2000); PDR Pharmacopoeia, Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2000, Deluxe Edition, Tarascon Publishing, Loma Linda, Calif. (2000), each of which references are entirely incorporated herein by reference.

TNF antagonists suitable for compositions, combination therapy, co-administration, devices and/or methods of the present invention (further comprising at least one anti body, specified portion and variant thereof, of the present invention), include, but are not limited to, anti-TNF antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, and receptor molecules which bind specifically to TNF; compounds which prevent and/or inhibit TNF synthesis, TNF release or its action on target cells, such as thalidomide, tenidap, phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g, pentoxifylline and rolipram), A2b adenosine receptor agonists and A2b adenosine receptor enhancers; compounds which prevent and/or inhibit TNF receptor signaling, such as mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitors; compounds which block and/or inhibit membrane TNF cleavage, such as metalloproteinase inhibitors; compounds which block and/or inhibit TNF activity, such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (e.g., captopril); and compounds which block and/or inhibit TNF production and/or synthesis, such as MAP kinase inhibitors.

As used herein, a “tumor necrosis factor antibody,” “TNF antibody,” “TNFα antibody,” or fragment and the like decreases, blocks, inhibits, abrogates or interferes with TNFα activity in vitro, in situ and/or preferably in vivo. For example, a suitable TNF human antibody of the present invention can bind TNFα and includes anti-TNF antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, and specified mutants or domains thereof that bind specifically to TNFα. A suitable TNF antibody or fragment can also decrease block, abrogate, interfere, prevent and/or inhibit TNF RNA, DNA or protein synthesis, TNF release, TNF receptor signaling, membrane TNF cleavage, TNF activity, TNF production and/or synthesis.

Chimeric antibody cA2 consists of the antigen binding variable region of the high-affinity neutralizing mouse anti-human TNFα IgG1 antibody, designated A2, and the constant regions of a human IgG1, kappa immunoglobulin. The human IgG1 Fc region improves allogeneic antibody effector function, increases the circulating serum half-life and decreases the immunogenicity of the antibody. The avidity and epitope specificity of the chimeric antibody cA2 is derived from the variable region of the murine antibody A2. In a particular embodiment, a preferred source for nucleic acids encoding the variable region of the murine antibody A2 is the A2 hybridoma cell line.

Chimeric A2 (cA2) neutralizes the cytotoxic effect of both natural and recombinant human TNFα in a dose dependent manner. From binding assays of chimeric antibody cA2 and recombinant human TNFα, the affinity constant of chimeric antibody cA2 was calculated to be 1.04×10¹⁰M⁻¹. Preferred methods for determining monoclonal antibody specificity and affinity by competitive inhibition can be found in Harlow, et al., antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1988; Colligan et al., eds., Current Protocols in Immunology, Greene Publishing Assoc. and Wiley Interscience, New York, (1992-2000); Kozbor et al., Immunol. Today, 4:72-79 (1983); Ausubel et al., eds. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley Interscience, New York (1987-2000); and Muller, Meth. Enzymol., 92:589-601 (1983), which references are entirely incorporated herein by reference.

In a particular embodiment, murine monoclonal antibody A2 is produced by a cell line designated c134A. Chimeric antibody cA2 is produced by a cell line designated c168A.

Additional examples of monoclonal anti-TNF antibodies that can be used in the present invention are described in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,024; Maller, A. et al., Cytokine 2(3):162-169 (1990); U.S. application Ser. No. 07/943,852 (filed Sep. 11, 1992); Rathjen et al., International Publication No. WO 91/02078 (published Feb. 21, 1991); Rubin et al., EPO Patent Publication No. 0 218 868 (published Apr. 22, 1987); Yone et al., EPO Patent Publication No. 0 288 088 (Oct. 26, 1988); Liang, et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 137:847-854 (1986); Meager, et al., Hybridoma 6:305-311 (1987); Fendly et al., Hybridoma 6:359-369 (1987); Bringman, et al., Hybridoma 6:489-507 (1987); and Hirai, et al., J. Immunol. Meth. 96:57-62 (1987), which references are entirely incorporated herein by reference).

TNF Receptor Molecules. Preferred TNF receptor molecules useful in the present invention are those that bind TNFα with high affinity (see, e.g., Feldmann et al., International Publication No. WO 92/07076 (published Apr. 30, 1992); Schall et al., Cell 61:361-370 (1990); and Loetscher et al., Cell 61:351-359 (1990), which references are entirely incorporated herein by reference) and optionally possess low immunogenicity. In particular, the 55 kDa (p55 TNF-R) and the 75 kDa (p75 TNF-R) TNF cell surface receptors are useful in the present invention. Truncated forms of these receptors, comprising the extracellular domains (ECD) of the receptors or functional portions thereof (see, e.g., Corcoran et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 223:831-840 (1994)), are also useful in the present invention. Truncated forms of the TNF receptors, comprising the ECD, have been detected in urine and serum as 30 kDa and 40 kDa TNFα inhibitory binding proteins (Engelmann, H. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265:1531-1536 (1990)). TNF receptor multimeric molecules and TNF immunoreceptor fusion molecules, and derivatives and fragments or portions thereof, are additional examples of TNF receptor molecules which are useful in the methods and compositions of the present invention. The TNF receptor molecules which can be used in the invention are characterized by their ability to treat patients for extended periods with good to excellent alleviation of symptoms and low toxicity. Low immunogenicity and/or high affinity, as well as other undefined properties, can contribute to the therapeutic results achieved.

TNF receptor multimeric molecules useful in the present invention comprise all or a functional portion of the ECD of two or more TNF receptors linked via one or more polypeptide linkers or other nonpeptide linkers, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG). The multimeric molecules can further comprise a signal peptide of a secreted protein to direct expression of the multimeric molecule. These multimeric molecules and methods for their production have been described in U.S. application Ser. No. 08/437,533 (filed May 9, 1995), the content of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

TNF immunoreceptor fusion molecules useful in the methods and compositions of the present invention comprise at least one portion of one or more immunoglobulin molecules and all or a functional portion of one or more TNF receptors. These immunoreceptor fusion molecules can be assembled as monomers, or hetero- or homo-multimers. The immunoreceptor fusion molecules can also be monovalent or multivalent. An example of such a TNF immunoreceptor fusion molecule is TNF receptor/IgG fusion protein. TNF immunoreceptor fusion molecules and methods for their production have been described in the art (Lesslauer et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 21:2883-2886 (1991); Ashkenazi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:10535-10539 (1991); Peppel et al., J. Exp. Med. 174:1483-1489 (1991); Kolls et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:215-219 (1994); Butler et al., Cytokine 6(6):616-623 (1994); Baker et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 24:2040-2048 (1994); Beutler et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,851; and U.S. application Ser. No. 08/442,133 (filed May 16, 1995), each of which references are entirely incorporated herein by reference). Methods for producing immunoreceptor fusion molecules can also be found in Capon et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,964; Capon et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,538; and Capon et al., Nature 337:525-531 (1989), which references are entirely incorporated herein by reference.

A functional equivalent, derivative, fragment or region of TNF receptor molecule refers to the portion of the TNF receptor molecule, or the portion of the TNF receptor molecule sequence which encodes TNF receptor molecule, that is of sufficient size and sequences to functionally resemble TNF receptor molecules that can be used in the present invention (e.g., bind TNFα with high affinity and possess low immunogenicity). A functional equivalent of TNF receptor molecule also includes modified TNF receptor molecules that functionally resemble TNF receptor molecules that can be used in the present invention (e.g., bind TNFα with high affinity and possess low immunogenicity). For example, a functional equivalent of TNF receptor molecule can contain a “SILENT” codon or one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions or additions (e.g., substitution of one acidic amino acid for another acidic amino acid; or substitution of one codon encoding the same or different hydrophobic amino acid for another codon encoding a hydrophobic amino acid). See Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Assoc. and Wiley-Interscience, New York (1987-2000).

Cytokines include any known cytokine. See, e.g., CopewithCytokines.com. Cytokine antagonists include, but are not limited to, any antibody, fragment or mimetic, any soluble receptor, fragment or mimetic, any small molecule antagonist, or any combination thereof.

Therapeutic Treatments. Any method of the present invention can comprise a method for treating a TNF mediated disorder, comprising administering an effective amount of a composition or pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one anti-TNF antibody to a cell, tissue, organ, animal or patient in need of such modulation, treatment or therapy. Such a method can optionally further comprise co-administration or combination therapy for treating such immune diseases, wherein the administering of said at least one anti-TNF antibody, specified portion or variant thereof, further comprises administering, before concurrently, and/or after, at least one selected from at least one TNF antagonist (e.g., but not limited to a TNF antibody or fragment, a soluble TNF receptor or fragment, fusion proteins thereof, or a small molecule TNF antagonist), an antirheumatic (e.g., methotrexate, auranofin, aurothioglucose, azathioprine, etanercept, gold sodium thiomalate, hydroxychloroquine sulfate, leflunomide, sulfasalzine), a muscle relaxant, a narcotic, a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), an analgesic, an anesthetic, a sedative, a local anethetic, a neuromuscular blocker, an antimicrobial (e.g., aminoglycoside, an antifungal, an antiparasitic, an antiviral, a carbapenem, cephalosporin, a flurorquinolone, a macrolide, a penicillin, a sulfonamide, a tetracycline, another antimicrobial), an antipsoriatic, a corticosteriod, an anabolic steroid, a diabetes related agent, a mineral, a nutritional, a thyroid agent, a vitamin, a calcium related hormone, an antidiarrheal, an antitussive, an antiemetic, an antiulcer, a laxative, an anticoagulant, an erythropieitin (e.g., epoetin alpha), a filgrastim (e.g., G-CSF, Neupogen), a sargramostim (GM-CSF, Leukine), an immunization, an immunoglobulin, an immunosuppressive (e.g., basiliximab, cyclosporine, daclizumab), a growth hormone, a hormone replacement drug, an estrogen receptor modulator, a mydriatic, a cycloplegic, an alkylating agent, an antimetabolite, a mitotic inhibitor, a radiopharmaceutical, an antidepressant, antimanic agent, an antipsychotic, an anxiolytic, a hypnotic, a sympathomimetic, a stimulant, donepezil, tacrine, an asthma medication, a beta agonist, an inhaled steroid, a leukotriene inhibitor, a methylxanthine, a cromolyn, an epinephrine or analog, dornase alpha (Pulmozyme), a cytokine or a cytokine antagonist.

Typically, treatment of pathologic conditions is effected by administering an effective amount or dosage of at least one anti-TNF antibody composition that total, on average, a range from at least about 0.01 to 500 milligrams of at least one anti-TNF antibody per kilogram of patient per dose, and preferably from at least about 0.1 to 100 milligrams antibody/kilogram of patient per single or multiple administration, depending upon the specific activity of contained in the composition. Alternatively, the effective serum concentration can comprise 0.1-5000 μg/ml serum concentration per single or multiple administration. Suitable dosages are known to medical practitioners and will, of course, depend upon the particular disease state, specific activity of the composition being administered, and the particular patient undergoing treatment. In some instances, to achieve the desired therapeutic amount, it can be necessary to provide for repeated administration, i.e., repeated individual administrations of a particular monitored or metered dose, where the individual administrations are repeated until the desired daily dose or effect is achieved.

Preferred doses can optionally include 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 and/or 100-500 mg/kg/administration, or any range, value or fraction thereof, or to achieve a serum concentration of 0.1, 0.5, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.9, 2.0, 2.5, 2.9, 3.0, 3.5, 3.9, 4.0, 4.5, 4.9, 5.0, 5.5, 5.9, 6.0, 6.5, 6.9, 7.0, 7.5, 7.9, 8.0, 8.5, 8.9, 9.0, 9.5, 9.9, 10, 10.5, 10.9, 11, 11.5, 11.9, 20, 12.5, 12.9, 13.0, 13.5, 13.9, 14.0, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 15.9, 16, 16.5, 16.9, 17, 17.5, 17.9, 18, 18.5, 18.9, 19, 19.5, 19.9, 20, 20.5, 20.9, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 96, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, and/or 5000 g/ml serum concentration per single or multiple administration, or any range, value or fraction thereof.

Alternatively, the dosage administered can vary depending upon known factors, such as the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the particular agent, and its mode and route of administration; age, health, and weight of the recipient; nature and extent of symptoms, kind of concurrent treatment, frequency of treatment, and the effect desired. Usually a dosage of active ingredient can be about 0.1 to 100 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Ordinarily 0.1 to 50, and preferably 0.1 to 10 milligrams per kilogram per administration or in sustained release form is effective to obtain desired results.

As a non-limiting example, treatment of humans or animals can be provided as a one-time or periodic dosage of at least one antibody of the present invention 0.1 to 100 mg/kg, such as 0.5, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 mg/kg, per day, on at least one of day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40, or alternatively or additionally, at least one of week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, or 52, or alternatively or additionally, at least one of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 years, or any combination thereof, using single, infusion or repeated doses.

Dosage forms (composition) suitable for internal administration generally contain from about 0.1 milligram to about 500 milligrams of active ingredient per unit or container. In these pharmaceutical compositions the active ingredient will ordinarily be present in an amount of about 0.5-99.999% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

For parenteral administration, the antibody can be formulated as a solution, suspension, emulsion or lyophilized powder in association, or separately provided, with a pharmaceutically acceptable parenteral vehicle. Examples of such vehicles are water, saline, Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, and 1-10% human serum albumin. Liposomes and nonaqueous vehicles such as fixed oils can also be used. The vehicle or lyophilized powder can contain additives that maintain isotonicity (e.g., sodium chloride, mannitol) and chemical stability (e.g., buffers and preservatives). The formulation is sterilized by known or suitable techniques.

Suitable pharmaceutical carriers are described in the most recent edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, A. Osol, a standard reference text in this field.

Alternative Administration. Many known and developed modes of administration can be used according to the present invention for administering pharmaceutically effective amounts of at least one anti-TNF antibody according to the present invention. While pulmonary administration is used in the following description, other modes of administration can be used according to the present invention with suitable results.

TNF antibodies of the present invention can be delivered in a carrier, as a solution, emulsion, colloid, or suspension, or as a dry powder, using any of a variety of devices and methods suitable for administration by inhalation or other modes described here within or known in the art.

Parenteral Formulations and Administration. Formulations for parenteral administration can contain as common excipients sterile water or saline, polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol, oils of vegetable origin, hydrogenated naphthalenes and the like. Aqueous or oily suspensions for injection can be prepared by using an appropriate emulsifier or humidifier and a suspending agent, according to known methods. Agents for injection can be a non-toxic, non-orally administrable diluting agent such as aqueous solution or a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a solvent. As the usable vehicle or solvent, water, Ringer's solution, isotonic saline, etc. are allowed; as an ordinary solvent, or suspending solvent, sterile involatile oil can be used. For these purposes, any kind of involatile oil and fatty acid can be used, including natural or synthetic or semisynthetic fatty oils or fatty acids; natural or synthetic or semisynthetic mono- or di- or tri-glycerides. Parental administration is known in the art and includes, but is not limited to, conventional means of injections, a gas pressured needle-less injection device as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,198, and a laser perforator device as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,446 entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Alternative Delivery. The invention further relates to the administration of at least one anti-TNF antibody by parenteral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intrarticular, intrabronchial, intraabdominal, intracapsular, intracartilaginous, intracavitary, intracelial, intracelebellar, intracerebroventricular, intracolic, intracervical, intragastric, intrahepatic, intramyocardial, intraosteal, intrapelvic, intrapericardiac, intraperitoneal, intrapleural, intraprostatic, intrapulmonary, intrarectal, intrarenal, intraretinal, intraspinal, intrasynovial, intrathoracic, intrauterine, intravesical, bolus, vaginal, rectal, buccal, sublingual, intranasal, or transdermal means. At least one anti-TNF antibody composition can be prepared for use for parenteral (subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous) or any other administration particularly in the form of liquid solutions or suspensions; for use in vaginal or rectal administration particularly in semisolid forms such as, but not limited to, creams and suppositories; for buccal, or sublingual administration such as, but not limited to, in the form of tablets or capsules; or intranasally such as, but not limited to, the form of powders, nasal drops or aerosols or certain agents; or transdermally such as not limited to a gel, ointment, lotion, suspension or patch delivery system with chemical enhancers such as dimethyl sulfoxide to either modify the skin structure or to increase the drug concentration in the transdermal patch (Junginger, et al. In “Drug Permeation Enhancement”; Hsieh, D. S., Eds., pp. 59-90 (Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York 1994, entirely incorporated herein by reference), or with oxidizing agents that enable the application of formulations containing proteins and peptides onto the skin (WO 98/53847), or applications of electric fields to create transient transport pathways such as electroporation, or to increase the mobility of charged drugs through the skin such as iontophoresis, or application of ultrasound such as sonophoresis (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,309,989 and 4,767,402) (the above publications and patents being entirely incorporated herein by reference).

Pulmonary/Nasal Administration. For pulmonary administration, preferably at least one anti-TNF antibody composition is delivered in a particle size effective for reaching the lower airways of the lung or sinuses. According to the invention, at least one anti-TNF antibody can be delivered by any of a variety of inhalation or nasal devices known in the art for administration of a therapeutic agent by inhalation. These devices capable of depositing aerosolized formulations in the sinus cavity or alveoli of a patient include metered dose inhalers, nebulizers, dry powder generators, sprayers, and the like. Other devices suitable for directing the pulmonary or nasal administration of antibodies are also known in the art. All such devices can use of formulations suitable for the administration for the dispensing of antibody in an aerosol. Such aerosols can be comprised of either solutions (both aqueous and non-aqueous) or solid particles. Metered dose inhalers like the Ventolin® metered dose inhaler, typically use a propellant gas and require actuation during inspiration (See, e.g., WO 94/16970, WO 98/35888). Dry powder inhalers like Turbuhaler™ (Astra), Rotahaler® (Glaxo), Diskus® (Glaxo), Spiros™ inhaler (Dura), devices marketed by Inhale Therapeutics, and the Spinhaler® powder inhaler (Fisons), use breath-actuation of a mixed powder (U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,218 Astra, EP 237507 Astra, WO 97/25086 Glaxo, WO 94/08552 Dura, U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,135 Inhale, WO 94/06498 Fisons, entirely incorporated herein by reference). Nebulizers like AERx™ Aradigm, the Ultravent® nebulizer (Mallinckrodt), and the Acorn II® nebulizer (Marquest Medical Products) (U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,871 Aradigm, WO 97/22376), the above references entirely incorporated herein by reference, produce aerosols from solutions, while metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, etc. generate small particle aerosols. These specific examples of commercially available inhalation devices are intended to be a representative of specific devices suitable for the practice of this invention, and are not intended as limiting the scope of the invention. Preferably, a composition comprising at least one anti-TNF antibody is delivered by a dry powder inhaler or a sprayer. There are a several desirable features of an inhalation device for administering at least one antibody of the present invention. For example, delivery by the inhalation device is advantageously reliable, reproducible, and accurate. The inhalation device can optionally deliver small dry particles, e.g. less than about 10 μm, preferably about 1-5 μm, for good respirability.

Administration of TNF antibody Compositions as a Spray. A spray including TNF antibody composition protein can be produced by forcing a suspension or solution of at least one anti-TNF antibody through a nozzle under pressure. The nozzle size and configuration, the applied pressure, and the liquid feed rate can be chosen to achieve the desired output and particle size. An electrospray can be produced, for example, by an electric field in connection with a capillary or nozzle feed. Advantageously, particles of at least one anti-TNF antibody composition protein delivered by a sprayer have a particle size less than about 10 μm, preferably in the range of about 1 μm to about 5 μm, and most preferably about 2 μm to about 3 μm.

Formulations of at least one anti-TNF antibody composition protein suitable for use with a sprayer typically include antibody composition protein in an aqueous solution at a concentration of about 0.1 mg to about 100 mg of at least one anti-TNF antibody composition protein per ml of solution or mg/gm, or any range or value therein, e.g., but not limited to, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 mg/ml or mg/gm. The formulation can include agents such as an excipient, a buffer, an isotonicity agent, a preservative, a surfactant, and, preferably, zinc. The formulation can also include an excipient or agent for stabilization of the antibody composition protein, such as a buffer, a reducing agent, a bulk protein, or a carbohydrate. Bulk proteins useful in formulating antibody composition proteins include albumin, protamine, or the like. Typical carbohydrates useful in formulating antibody composition proteins include sucrose, mannitol, lactose, trehalose, glucose, or the like. The antibody composition protein formulation can also include a surfactant, which can reduce or prevent surface-induced aggregation of the antibody composition protein caused by atomization of the solution in forming an aerosol. Various conventional surfactants can be employed, such as polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters and alcohols, and polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters. Amounts will generally range between 0.001 and 14% by weight of the formulation. Especially preferred surfactants for purposes of this invention are polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polysorbate 80, polysorbate 20, or the like. Additional agents known in the art for formulation of a protein such as TNF antibodies, or specified portions or variants, can also be included in the formulation.

Administration of TNF antibody compositions by a Nebulizer. Antibody composition protein can be administered by a nebulizer, such as jet nebulizer or an ultrasonic nebulizer. Typically, in a jet nebulizer, a compressed air source is used to create a high-velocity air jet through an orifice. As the gas expands beyond the nozzle, a low-pressure region is created, which draws a solution of antibody composition protein through a capillary tube connected to a liquid reservoir. The liquid stream from the capillary tube is sheared into unstable filaments and droplets as it exits the tube, creating the aerosol. A range of configurations, flow rates, and baffle types can be employed to achieve the desired performance characteristics from a given jet nebulizer. In an ultrasonic nebulizer, high-frequency electrical energy is used to create vibrational, mechanical energy, typically employing a piezoelectric transducer. This energy is transmitted to the formulation of antibody composition protein either directly or through a coupling fluid, creating an aerosol including the antibody composition protein. Advantageously, particles of antibody composition protein delivered by a nebulizer have a particle size less than about 10 μm, preferably in the range of about 1 μm to about 5 m, and most preferably about 2 μm to about 3 μm.

Formulations of at least one anti-TNF antibody suitable for use with a nebulizer, either jet or ultrasonic, typically include a concentration of about 0.1 mg to about 100 mg of at least one anti-TNF antibody protein per ml of solution. The formulation can include agents such as an excipient, a buffer, an isotonicity agent, a preservative, a surfactant, and, preferably, zinc. The formulation can also include an excipient or agent for stabilization of the at least one anti-TNF antibody composition protein, such as a buffer, a reducing agent, a bulk protein, or a carbohydrate. Bulk proteins useful in formulating at least one anti-TNF antibody composition proteins include albumin, protamine, or the like. Typical carbohydrates useful in formulating at least one anti-TNF antibody include sucrose, mannitol, lactose, trehalose, glucose, or the like. The at least one anti-TNF antibody formulation can also include a surfactant, which can reduce or prevent surface-induced aggregation of the at least one anti-TNF antibody caused by atomization of the solution in forming an aerosol. Various conventional surfactants can be employed, such as polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters and alcohols, and polyoxyethylene sorbital fatty acid esters. Amounts will generally range between 0.001 and 4% by weight of the formulation. Especially preferred surfactants for purposes of this invention are polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate, polysorbate 80, polysorbate 20, or the like. Additional agents known in the art for formulation of a protein such as antibody protein can also be included in the formulation.

Administration of TNF antibody compositions By A Metered Dose Inhaler. In a metered dose inhaler (MDI), a propellant, at least one anti-TNF antibody, and any excipients or other additives are contained in a canister as a mixture including a liquefied compressed gas. Actuation of the metering valve releases the mixture as an aerosol, preferably containing particles in the size range of less than about 10 μm, preferably about 1 μm to about 5 μm, and most preferably about 2 μm to about 3 μm. The desired aerosol particle size can be obtained by employing a formulation of antibody composition protein produced by various methods known to those of skill in the art, including jet-milling, spray drying, critical point condensation, or the like. Preferred metered dose inhalers include those manufactured by 3M or Glaxo and employing a hydrofluorocarbon propellant.

Formulations of at least one anti-TNF antibody for use with a metered-dose inhaler device will generally include a finely divided powder containing at least one anti-TNF antibody as a suspension in a non-aqueous medium, for example, suspended in a propellant with the aid of a surfactant. The propellant can be any conventional material employed for this purpose, such as chlorofluorocarbon, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, a hydrofluorocarbon, or a hydrocarbon, including trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethanol and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, HFA-134a (hydrofluroalkane-134a), HFA-227 (hydrofluroalkane-227), or the like. Preferably the propellant is a hydrofluorocarbon. The surfactant can be chosen to stabilize the at least one anti-TNF antibody as a suspension in the propellant, to protect the active agent against chemical degradation, and the like. Suitable surfactants include sorbitan trioleate, soya lecithin, oleic acid, or the like. In some cases solution aerosols are preferred using solvents such as ethanol. Additional agents known in the art for formulation of a protein can also be included in the formulation.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the methods of the current invention can be achieved by pulmonary administration of at least one anti-TNF antibody compositions via devices not described herein.

Oral Formulations and Administration. Formulations for oral rely on the co-administration of adjuvants (e.g., resorcinols and nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene oleyl ether and n-hexadecylpolyethylene ether) to increase artificially the permeability of the intestinal walls, as well as the co-administration of enzymatic inhibitors (e.g., pancreatic trypsin inhibitors, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFF) and trasylol) to inhibit enzymatic degradation. The active constituent compound of the solid-type dosage form for oral administration can be mixed with at least one additive, including sucrose, lactose, cellulose, mannitol, trehalose, raffinose, maltitol, dextran, starches, agar, arginates, chitins, chitosans, pectins, gum tragacanth, gum arabic, gelatin, collagen, casein, albumin, synthetic or semisynthetic polymer, and glyceride. These dosage forms can also contain other type(s) of additives, e.g., inactive diluting agent, lubricant such as magnesium stearate, paraben, preserving agent such as sorbic acid, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, antioxidant such as cysteine, disintegrator, binder, thickener, buffering agent, sweetening agent, flavoring agent, perfuming agent, etc.

Tablets and pills can be further processed into enteric-coated preparations. The liquid preparations for oral administration include emulsion, syrup, elixir, suspension and solution preparations allowable for medical use. These preparations can contain inactive diluting agents ordinarily used in said field, e.g., water. Liposomes have also been described as drug delivery systems for insulin and heparin (U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,754). More recently, microspheres of artificial polymers of mixed amino acids (proteinoids) have been used to deliver pharmaceuticals (U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,673). Furthermore, carrier compounds described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,879,681 and 5,871,753 are used to deliver biologically active agents orally are known in the art.

Mucosal Formulations and Administration. For absorption through mucosal surfaces, compositions and methods of administering at least one anti-TNF antibody include an emulsion comprising a plurality of submicron particles, a mucoadhesive macromolecule, a bioactive peptide, and an aqueous continuous phase, which promotes absorption through mucosal surfaces by achieving mucoadhesion of the emulsion particles (U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,670). Mucous surfaces suitable for application of the emulsions of the present invention can include corneal, conjunctival, buccal, sublingual, nasal, vaginal, pulmonary, stomachic, intestinal, and rectal routes of administration. Formulations for vaginal or rectal administration, e.g. suppositories, can contain as excipients, for example, polyalkyleneglycols, vaseline, cocoa butter, and the like. Formulations for intranasal administration can be solid and contain as excipients, for example, lactose or can be aqueous or oily solutions of nasal drops. For buccal administration excipients include sugars, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, pregelinatined starch, and the like (U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,695).

Transdermal Formulations and Administration. For transdermal administration, the at least one anti-TNF antibody is encapsulated in a delivery device such as a liposome or polymeric nanoparticles, microparticle, microcapsule, or microspheres (referred to collectively as microparticles unless otherwise stated). A number of suitable devices are known, including microparticles made of synthetic polymers such as polyhydroxy acids such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid and copolymers thereof, polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, and polyphosphazenes, and natural polymers such as collagen, polyamino acids, albumin and other proteins, alginate and other polysaccharides, and combinations thereof (U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,599).

Prolonged Administration and Formulations. It can be sometimes desirable to deliver the compounds of the present invention to the subject over prolonged periods of time, for example, for periods of one week to one year from a single administration. Various slow release, depot or implant dosage forms can be utilized. For example, a dosage form can contain a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salt of the compounds that has a low degree of solubility in body fluids, for example, (a) an acid addition salt with a polybasic acid such as phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, tannic acid, pamoic acid, alginic acid, polyglutamic acid, naphthalene mono- or di-sulfonic acids, polygalacturonic acid, and the like; (b) a salt with a polyvalent metal cation such as zinc, calcium, bismuth, barium, magnesium, aluminum, copper, cobalt, nickel, cadmium and the like, or with an organic cation formed from e.g., N,N′-dibenzyl-ethylenediamine or ethylenediamine; or (c) combinations of (a) and (b) e.g. a zinc tannate salt. Additionally, the compounds of the present invention or, preferably, a relatively insoluble salt such as those just described, can be formulated in a gel, for example, an aluminum monostearate gel with, e.g. sesame oil, suitable for injection. Particularly preferred salts are zinc salts, zinc tannate salts, pamoate salts, and the like. Another type of slow release depot formulation for injection would contain the compound or salt dispersed for encapsulated in a slow degrading, non-toxic, non-antigenic polymer such as a polylactic acid/polyglycolic acid polymer for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919. The compounds or, preferably, relatively insoluble salts such as those described above can also be formulated in cholesterol matrix silastic pellets, particularly for use in animals. Additional slow release, depot or implant formulations, e.g. gas or liquid liposomes are known in the literature (U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,222 and “Sustained and Controlled Release Drug Delivery Systems”, J. R. Robinson ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., N.Y., 1978).

Having generally described the invention, the same will be more readily understood by reference to the following examples, which are provided by way of illustration and are not intended as limiting.

Example 1: Cloning and Expression of TNF Antibody in Mammalian Cells

A typical mammalian expression vector contains at least one promoter element, which mediates the initiation of transcription of mRNA, the antibody coding sequence, and signals required for the termination of transcription and polyadenylation of the transcript. Additional elements include enhancers, Kozak sequences and intervening sequences flanked by donor and acceptor sites for RNA splicing. Highly efficient transcription can be achieved with the early and late promoters from SV40, the long terminal repeats (LTRS) from Retroviruses, e.g., RSV, HTLVI, HIVI and the early promoter of the cytomegalovirus (CMV). However, cellular elements can also be used (e.g., the human actin promoter). Suitable expression vectors for use in practicing the present invention include, for example, vectors such as pIRES1neo, pRetro-Off, pRetro-On, PLXSN, or pLNCX (Clonetech Labs, Palo Alto, Calif.), pcDNA3.1 (+/−), pcDNA/Zeo (+/−) or pcDNA3.1/Hygro (+/−) (Invitrogen), PSVL and PMSG (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden), pRSVcat (ATCC 37152), pSV2dhfr (ATCC 37146) and pBC12MI (ATCC 67109). Mammalian host cells that could be used include human Hela 293, H9 and Jurkat cells, mouse NIH3T3 and C127 cells, Cos 1, Cos 7 and CV 1, quail QC1-3 cells, mouse L cells and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.

Alternatively, the gene can be expressed in stable cell lines that contain the gene integrated into a chromosome. The co-transfection with a selectable marker such as dhfr, gpt, neomycin, or hygromycin allows the identification and isolation of the transfected cells.

The transfected gene can also be amplified to express large amounts of the encoded antibody. The DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase) marker is useful to develop cell lines that carry several hundred or even several thousand copies of the gene of interest. Another useful selection marker is the enzyme glutamine synthase (GS) (Murphy, et al., Biochem. J. 227:277-279 (1991); Bebbington, et al., Bio/Technology 10:169-175 (1992)). Using these markers, the mammalian cells are grown in selective medium and the cells with the highest resistance are selected. These cell lines contain the amplified gene(s) integrated into a chromosome. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and NS0 cells are often used for the production of antibodies.

The expression vectors pC1 and pC4 contain the strong promoter (LTR) of the Rous Sarcoma Virus (Cullen, et al., Molec. Cell. Biol. 5:438-447 (1985)) plus a fragment of the CMV-enhancer (Boshart, et al., Cell 41:521-530 (1985)). Multiple cloning sites, e.g., with the restriction enzyme cleavage sites BamHI, XbaI and Asp718, facilitate the cloning of the gene of interest. The vectors contain in addition the 3′ intron, the polyadenylation and termination signal of the rat preproinsulin gene.

Cloning and Expression in CHO Cells. The vector pC4 is used for the expression of TNF antibody. Plasmid pC4 is a derivative of the plasmid pSV2-dhfr (ATCC Accession No. 37146). The plasmid contains the mouse DHFR gene under control of the SV40 early promoter. Chinese hamster ovary- or other cells lacking dihydrofolate activity that are transfected with these plasmids can be selected by growing the cells in a selective medium (e.g., alpha minus MEM, Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.) supplemented with the chemotherapeutic agent methotrexate. The amplification of the DHFR genes in cells resistant to methotrexate (MTX) has been well documented (see, e.g., F. W. Alt, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 253:1357-1370 (1978); J. L. Hamlin and C. Ma, Biochem. et Biophys. Acta 1097:107-143 (1990); and M. J. Page and M. A. Sydenham, Biotechnology 9:64-68 (1991)). Cells grown in increasing concentrations of MTX develop resistance to the drug by overproducing the target enzyme, DHFR, as a result of amplification of the DHFR gene. If a second gene is linked to the DHFR gene, it is usually co-amplified and over-expressed. It is known in the art that this approach can be used to develop cell lines carrying more than 1,000 copies of the amplified gene(s). Subsequently, when the methotrexate is withdrawn, cell lines are obtained that contain the amplified gene integrated into one or more chromosome(s) of the host cell.

Plasmid pC4 contains for expressing the gene of interest the strong promoter of the long terminal repeat (LTR) of the Rous Sarcoma Virus (Cullen, et al., Molec. Cell. Biol. 5:438-447 (1985)) plus a fragment isolated from the enhancer of the immediate early gene of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) (Boshart, et al., Cell 41:521-530 (1985)). Downstream of the promoter are BamHI, XbaI, and Asp718 restriction enzyme cleavage sites that allow integration of the genes. Behind these cloning sites the plasmid contains the 3′ intron and polyadenylation site of the rat preproinsulin gene. Other high efficiency promoters can also be used for the expression, e.g., the human beta-actin promoter, the SV40 early or late promoters or the long terminal repeats from other retroviruses, e.g., HIV and HTLVI. Clontech's Tet-Off and Tet-On gene expression systems and similar systems can be used to express the TNF in a regulated way in mammalian cells (M. Gossen, and H. Bujard, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 5547-5551 (1992)). For the polyadenylation of the mRNA other signals, e.g., from the human growth hormone or globin genes can be used as well. Stable cell lines carrying a gene of interest integrated into the chromosomes can also be selected upon co-transfection with a selectable marker such as gpt, G418 or hygromycin. It is advantageous to use more than one selectable marker in the beginning, e.g., G418 plus methotrexate.

The plasmid pC4 is digested with restriction enzymes and then dephosphorylated using calf intestinal phosphatase by procedures known in the art. The vector is then isolated from a 1% agarose gel.

The isolated variable and constant region encoding DNA and the dephosphorylated vector are then ligated with T4 DNA ligase. E. coli HB101 or XL-1 Blue cells are then transformed and bacteria are identified that contain the fragment inserted into plasmid pC4 using, for instance, restriction enzyme analysis.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells lacking an active DHFR gene are used for transfection. 5 μg of the expression plasmid pC4 is cotransfected with 0.5 μg of the plasmid pSV2-neo using lipofectin. The plasmid pSV2neo contains a dominant selectable marker, the neo gene from Tn5 encoding an enzyme that confers resistance to a group of antibiotics including G418. The cells are seeded in alpha minus MEM supplemented with 1 μg/ml G418. After 2 days, the cells are trypsinized and seeded in hybridoma cloning plates (Greiner, Germany) in alpha minus MEM supplemented with 10, 25, or 50 ng/ml of methotrexate plus 1 μg/ml G418. After about 10-14 days single clones are trypsinized and then seeded in 6-well petri dishes or 10 ml flasks using different concentrations of methotrexate (50 nM, 100 nM, 200 nM, 400 nM, 800 nM). Clones growing at the highest concentrations of methotrexate are then transferred to new 6-well plates containing even higher concentrations of methotrexate (1 mM, 2 mM, 5 mM, 10 mM, 20 mM). The same procedure is repeated until clones are obtained that grow at a concentration of 100-200 mM. Expression of the desired gene product is analyzed, for instance, by SDS-PAGE and Western blot or by reverse phase HPLC analysis.

Example 2: Generation of High Affinity Human IgG Monoclonal Antibodies Reactive with Human TNF Using Transgenic Mice

Summary Transgenic mice have been used that contain human heavy and light chain immunoglobulin genes to generate high affinity, completely human, monoclonal antibodies that can be used therapeutically to inhibit the action of TNF for the treatment of one or more TNF-mediated disease. (CBA/J x C57/BL6/J) F₂ hybrid mice containing human variable and constant region antibody transgenes for both heavy and light chains are immunized with human recombinant TNF (Taylor et al., Intl. Immunol. 6:579-591 (1993); Lonberg, et al., Nature 368:856-859 (1994); Neuberger, M., Nature Biotech. 14:826 (1996); Fishwild, et al., Nature Biotechnology 14:845-851 (1996)). Several fusions yielded one or more panels of completely human TNF reactive IgG monoclonal antibodies. The completely human anti-TNF antibodies are further characterized. All are IgG1κ. Such antibodies are found to have affinity constants somewhere between 1×10⁹ and 9×10¹². The unexpectedly high affinities of these fully human monoclonal antibodies make them suitable candidates for therapeutic applications in TNF related diseases, pathologies or disorders.

Abbreviations. BSA—bovine serum albumin; CO₂- carbon dioxide; DMSO—dimethyl sulfoxide; EIA—enzyme immunoassay; FBS—fetal bovine serum; H₂O₂- hydrogen peroxide; HRP—horseradish peroxidase; ID—interadermal; Ig—immunoglobulin; TNF—tissue necrosis factor alpha; IP—intraperitoneal; IV—intravenous; Mab or mAb—monoclonal antibody; OD—optical density; OPD—o-Phenylenediamine dihydrochloride; PEG—polyethylene glycol; PSA—penicillin, streptomycin, amphotericin; RT—room temperature; SQ—subcutaneous; v/v—volume per volume; w/v—weight per volume.

Materials and Methods

Animals. Transgenic mice that can express human antibodies are known in the art (and are commercially available (e.g., from GenPharm International, San Jose, Calif.; Abgenix, Freemont, Calif., and others) that express human immunoglobulins but not mouse IgM or Igκ. For example, such transgenic mice contain human sequence transgenes that undergo V(D)J joining, heavy-chain class switching, and somatic mutation to generate a repertoire of human sequence immunoglobulins (Lonberg, et al., Nature 368:856-859 (1994)). The light chain transgene can be derived, e.g., in part from a yeast artificial chromosome clone that includes nearly half of the germline human Vκ region. In addition, the heavy-chain transgene can encode both human μ and human γ1 (Fishwild, et al., Nature Biotechnology 14:845-851 (1996)) and/or γ3 constant regions. Mice derived from appropriate genotypic lineages can be used in the immunization and fusion processes to generate fully human monoclonal antibodies to TNF.

Immunization. One or more immunization schedules can be used to generate the anti-TNF human hybridomas. The first several fusions can be performed after the following exemplary immunization protocol, but other similar known protocols can be used. Several 14-20 week old female and/or surgically castrated transgenic male mice are immunized IP and/or ID with 1-1000 μg of recombinant human TNF emulsified with an equal volume of TITERMAX or complete Freund's adjuvant in a final volume of 100-400 μL (e.g., 200). Each mouse can also optionally receive 1-10 μg in 100 μL physiological saline at each of 2 SQ sites. The mice can then be immunized 1-7, 5-12, 10-18, 17-25 and/or 21-34 days later IP (1-400 μg) and SQ (1-400 μg×2) with TNF emulsified with an equal volume of TITERMAX or incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Mice can be bled 12-25 and 25-40 days later by retro-orbital puncture without anti-coagulant. The blood is then allowed to clot at RT for one hour and the serum is collected and titered using an TNF EIA assay according to known methods. Fusions are performed when repeated injections do not cause titers to increase. At that time, the mice can be given a final IV booster injection of 1-400 μg TNF diluted in 100 μL physiological saline. Three days later, the mice can be euthanized by cervical dislocation and the spleens removed aseptically and immersed in 10 mL of cold phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 100 U/mL penicillin, 100 μg/mL streptomycin, and 0.25 μg/mL amphotericin B (PSA). The splenocytes are harvested by sterilely perfusing the spleen with PSA-PBS. The cells are washed once in cold PSA-PBS, counted using Trypan blue dye exclusion and resuspended in RPMI 1640 media containing 25 mM Hepes.

Cell Fusion. Fusion can be carried out at a 1:1 to 1:10 ratio of murine myeloma cells to viable spleen cells according to known methods, e.g., as known in the art. As a non-limiting example, spleen cells and myeloma cells can be pelleted together. The pellet can then be slowly resuspended, over 30 seconds, in 1 mL of 50% (w/v) PEG/PBS solution (PEG molecular weight 1,450, Sigma) at 37° C. The fusion can then be stopped by slowly adding 10.5 mL of RPMI 1640 medium containing 25 mM Hepes (37° C.) over 1 minute. The fused cells are centrifuged for 5 minutes at 500-1500 rpm. The cells are then resuspended in HAT medium (RPMI 1640 medium containing 25 mM Hepes, 10% Fetal Clone I serum (Hyclone), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 4 mM L-glutamine, 10 μg/mL gentamicin, 2.5% Origen culturing supplement (Fisher), 10% 653-conditioned RPMI 1640/Hepes media, 50 μM 2-mercaptoethanol, 100 μM hypoxanthine, 0.4 μM aminopterin, and 16 μM thymidine) and then plated at 200 μL/well in fifteen 96-well flat bottom tissue culture plates. The plates are then placed in a humidified 37° C. incubator containing 5% CO₂ and 95% air for 7-10 days.

Detection of Human IgG Anti-TNF Antibodies in Mouse Serum. Solid phase EIA's can be used to screen mouse sera for human IgG antibodies specific for human TNF. Briefly, plates can be coated with TNF at 2 μg/mL in PBS overnight. After washing in 0.15M saline containing 0.02% (v/v) Tween 20, the wells can be blocked with 1% (w/v) BSA in PBS, 200 μL/well for 1 hour at RT. Plates are used immediately or frozen at −20° C. for future use. Mouse serum dilutions are incubated on the TNF coated plates at 50 L/well at RT for 1 hour. The plates are washed and then probed with 50 μL/well HRP-labeled goat anti-human IgG, Fc specific diluted 1:30,000 in 1% BSA-PBS for 1 hour at RT. The plates can again be washed and 100 μL/well of the citrate-phosphate substrate solution (0.1M citric acid and 0.2M sodium phosphate, 0.01% H₂O₂ and 1 mg/mL OPD) is added for 15 minutes at RT. Stop solution (4N sulfuric acid) is then added at 25 μL/well and the OD's are read at 490 nm via an automated plate spectrophotometer.

Detection of Completely Human Immunoglobulins in Hybridoma Supernates. Growth positive hybridomas secreting fully human immunoglobulins can be detected using a suitable EIA. Briefly, 96 well pop-out plates (VWR, 610744) can be coated with 10 μg/mL goat anti-human IgG Fc in sodium carbonate buffer overnight at 4° C. The plates are washed and blocked with 1% BSA-PBS for one hour at 37° C. and used immediately or frozen at −20° C. Undiluted hybridoma supernatants are incubated on the plates for one hour at 37° C. The plates are washed and probed with HRP labeled goat anti-human kappa diluted 1:10,000 in 1% BSA-PBS for one hour at 37° C. The plates are then incubated with substrate solution as described above.

Determination of Fully Human Anti-TNF Reactivity. Hybridomas, as above, can be simultaneously assayed for reactivity to TNF using a suitable RIA or other assay. For example, supernatants are incubated on goat anti-human IgG Fc plates as above, washed and then probed with radiolabled TNF with appropriate counts per well for 1 hour at RT. The wells are washed twice with PBS and bound radiolabled TNF is quantitated using a suitable counter.

Human IgG1κ anti-TNF secreting hybridomas can be expanded in cell culture and serially subcloned by limiting dilution. The resulting clonal populations can be expanded and cryopreserved in freezing medium (95% FBS, 5% DMSO) and stored in liquid nitrogen.

Isotyping. Isotype determination of the antibodies can be accomplished using an EIA in a format similar to that used to screen the mouse immune sera for specific titers. TNF can be coated on 96- well plates as described above and purified antibody at 2 μg/mL can be incubated on the plate for one hour at RT. The plate is washed and probed with HRP labeled goat anti-human IgG₁ or HRP labeled goat anti-human IgG₃ diluted at 1:4000 in 1% BSA-PBS for one hour at RT. The plate is again washed and incubated with substrate solution as described above.

Binding Kinetics of Human Anti-Human TNF Antibodies With Human TNF. Binding characteristics for antibodies can be suitably assessed using an TNF capture EIA and BIAcore technology, for example. Graded concentrations of purified human TNF antibodies can be assessed for binding to EIA plates coated with 2 μg/mL of TNF in assays as described above. The OD's can be then presented as semi-log plots showing relative binding efficiencies.

Quantitative binding constants can be obtained, e.g., as follows, or by any other known suitable method. A BIAcore CM-5 (carboxymethyl) chip is placed in a BIAcore 2000 unit. HBS buffer (0.01 M HEPES, 0.15 M NaCl, 3 mM EDTA, 0.005% v/v P20 surfactant, pH 7.4) is flowed over a flow cell of the chip at 5 μL/minute until a stable baseline is obtained. A solution (100 μL) of 15 mg of EDC (N-ethyl-N′-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride) in 200 μL water is added to 100 μL of a solution of 2.3 mg of NHS (N-hydroxysuccinimide) in 200 μL water. Forty (40) μL of the resulting solution is injected onto the chip. Six μL of a solution of human TNF (15 μg/mL in 10 mM sodium acetate, pH 4.8) is injected onto the chip, resulting in an increase of ca. 500 RU. The buffer is changed to TBS/Ca/Mg/BSA running buffer (20 mM Tris, 0.15 M sodium chloride, 2 mM calcium chloride, 2 mM magnesium acetate, 0.5% Triton X-100, 25 μg/mL BSA, pH 7.4) and flowed over the chip overnight to equilibrate it and to hydrolyze or cap any unreacted succinimide esters.

Antibodies are dissolved in the running buffer at 33.33, 16.67, 8.33, and 4.17 nM. The flow rate is adjusted to 30 μL/min and the instrument temperature to 25° C. Two flow cells are used for the kinetic runs, one on which TNF had been immobilized (sample) and a second, underivatized flow cell (blank). 120 μL of each antibody concentration is injected over the flow cells at 30 μL/min (association phase) followed by an uninterrupted 360 seconds of buffer flow (dissociation phase). The surface of the chip is regenerated (tissue necrosis factor alpha/antibody complex dissociated) by two sequential injections of 30 μL each of 2 M guanidine thiocyanate.

Analysis of the data is done using BIA evaluation 3.0 or CLAMP 2.0, as known in the art. For each antibody concentration the blank sensogram is subtracted from the sample sensogram. A global fit is done for both dissociation (k_(d), sec⁻¹) and association (k_(a), mol⁻¹ sec⁻¹) and the dissociation constant (K_(D), mol) calculated (k_(d)/k_(a)). Where the antibody affinity is high enough that the RUs of antibody captured are >100, additional dilutions of the antibody are run.

Results and Discussion

Generation of Anti-Human TNF Monoclonal Antibodies. Several fusions are performed and each fusion is seeded in 15 plates (1440 wells/fusion) that yield several dozen antibodies specific for human TNF. Of these, some are found to consist of a combination of human and mouse Ig chains. The remaining hybridomas secret anti-TNF antibodies consisting solely of human heavy and light chains. Of the human hybridomas all are expected to be IgG1κ.

Binding Kinetics of Human Anti-Human TNF Antibodies. ELISA analysis confirms that purified antibody from most or all of these hybridomas bind TNF in a concentration-dependent manner. FIGS. 1-2 show the results of the relative binding efficiency of these antibodies. In this case, the avidity of the antibody for its cognate antigen (epitope) is measured. It should be noted that binding TNF directly to the EIA plate can cause denaturation of the protein and the apparent binding affinities cannot be reflective of binding to undenatured protein. Fifty percent binding is found over a range of concentrations.

Quantitative binding constants are obtained using BIAcore analysis of the human antibodies and reveals that several of the human monoclonal antibodies are very high affinity with K_(D) in the range of 1×10⁻⁹ to 7×10⁻¹². Conclusions.

Several fusions are performed utilizing splenocytes from hybrid mice containing human variable and constant region antibody transgenes that are immunized with human TNF. A set of several completely human TNF reactive IgG monoclonal antibodies of the IgG1κ isotype are generated. The completely human anti-TNF antibodies are further characterized. Several of generated antibodies have affinity constants between 1×10⁹ and 9×10¹². The unexpectedly high affinities of these fully human monoclonal antibodies make them suitable for therapeutic applications in TNF-dependent diseases, pathologies or related conditions.

Example 3: Generation of Human IgG Monoclonal Antibodies Reactive to Human TNFα

Summary (CBA/J x C57BL/6J) F₂ hybrid mice (1-4) containing human variable and constant region antibody transgenes for both heavy and light chains were immunized with recombinant human TNFα. One fusion, named GenTNV, yielded eight totally human IgG1κ monoclonal antibodies that bind to immobilized recombinant human TNFα. Shortly after identification, the eight cell lines were transferred to Molecular Biology for further characterization. As these Mabs are totally human in sequence, they are expected to be less immunogenic than cA2 (Remicade) in humans.

Abbreviations. BSA—bovine serum albumin; CO₂- carbon dioxide; DMSO—dimethyl sulfoxide; EIA—enzyme immunoassay; FBS—fetal bovine serum; H₂O₂- hydrogen peroxide; HC—heavy chain; HRP—horseradish peroxidase; ID—interadermal; Ig—immunoglobulin; TNF—tissue necrosis factor alpha; IP—intraperitoneal; IV—intravenous; Mab—monoclonal antibody; OD—optical density; OPD—o-Phenylenediamine dihydrochloride; PEG—polyethylene glycol; PSA—penicillin, streptomycin, amphotericin; RT—room temperature; SQ—subcutaneous; TNFα—tumor necrosis factor alpha; v/v—volume per volume; w/v—weight per volume.

Introduction. Transgenic mice that contain human heavy and light chain immunoglobulin genes were utilized to generate totally human monoclonal antibodies that are specific to recombinant human TNFα. It is hoped that these unique antibodies can be used, as cA2 (Remicade) is used to therapeutically inhibit the inflammatory processes involved in TNFα-mediated disease with the benefit of increased serum half-life and decreased side effects relating to immunogenicity.

Materials and Methods.

Animals. Transgenic mice that express human immunoglobulins, but not mouse IgM or Igκ, have been developed by GenPharm International. These mice contain functional human antibody transgenes that undergo V(D)J joining, heavy-chain class switching and somatic mutation to generate a repertoire of antigen-specific human immunoglobulins (1). The light chain transgenes are derived in part from a yeast artificial chromosome clone that includes nearly half of the germline human Vκ locus. In addition to several VH genes, the heavy-chain (HC) transgene encodes both human μ and human γ1 (2) and/or γ3 constant regions. A mouse derived from the HCo12/KCo5 genotypic lineage was used in the immunization and fusion process to generate the monoclonal antibodies described here.

Purification of Human TNFα. Human TNFα was purified from tissue culture supernatant from C237A cells by affinity chromatography using a column packed with the TNFα receptor-Fc fusion protein (p55-sf2) (5) coupled to Sepharose 4B (Pharmacia). The cell supernatant was mixed with one-ninth its volume of 10× Dulbecco's PBS (D-PBS) and passed through the column at 4° C. at 4 μm/min. The column was then washed with PBS and the TNFα was eluted with 0.1 M sodium citrate, pH 3.5 and neutralized with 2 M Tris-HCl pH 8.5. The purified TNFα was buffer exchanged into 10 mM Tris, 0.12 M sodium chloride pH 7.5 and filtered through a 0.2 um syringe filter.

Immunizations. A female GenPharm mouse, approximately 16 weeks old, was immunized IP (200 μL) and ID (100 μL at the base of the tail) with a total of 100 μg of TNFα (lot JG102298 or JG102098) emulsified with an equal volume of Titermax adjuvant on days 0, 12 and 28. The mouse was bled on days 21 and 35 by retro-orbital puncture without anti-coagulant. The blood was allowed to clot at RT for one hour and the serum was collected and titered using TNFα solid phase EIA assay. The fusion, named GenTNV, was performed after the mouse was allowed to rest for seven weeks following injection on day 28. The mouse, with a specific human IgG titer of 1:160 against TNFα, was then given a final IV booster injection of 50 μg TNFα diluted in 100 μL physiological saline. Three days later, the mouse was euthanized by cervical dislocation and the spleen was removed aseptically and immersed in 10 mL of cold phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing 100 U/mL penicillin, 100 μg/mL streptomycin, and 0.25 μg/mL amphotericin B (PSA). The splenocytes were harvested by sterilely perfusing the spleen with PSA-PBS. The cells were washed once in cold PSA-PBS, counted using a Coulter counter and resuspended in RPMI 1640 media containing 25 mM Hepes.

Cell Lines. The non-secreting mouse myeloma fusion partner, 653 was received into Cell Biology Services (CBS) group on May 14, 1997 from Centocor's Product Development group. The cell line was expanded in RPMI medium (JRH Biosciences) supplemented with 10% (v/v) FBS (Cell Culture Labs), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 0.1 mM NEAA, 2 mM L-glutamine (all from JRH Biosciences) and cryopreserved in 95% FBS and 5% DMSO (Sigma), then stored in a vapor phase liquid nitrogen freezer in CBS. The cell bank was sterile (Quality Control Centocor, Malvern) and free of mycoplasma (Bionique Laboratories). Cells were maintained in log phase culture until fusion. They were washed in PBS, counted, and viability determined (>95%) via trypan blue dye exclusion prior to fusion.

Human TNFα was produced by a recombinant cell line, named C237A, generated in Molecular Biology at Centocor. The cell line was expanded in IMDM medium (JRH Biosciences) supplemented with 5% (v/v) FBS (Cell Culture Labs), 2 mM L-glutamine (all from JRH Biosciences), and 0.5: g/mL mycophenolic acid, and cryopreserved in 95% FBS and 5% DMSO (Sigma), then stored in a vapor phase liquid nitrogen freezer in CBS (13). The cell bank was sterile (Quality Control Centocor, Malvern) and free of mycoplasma (Bionique Laboratories).

Cell Fusion. The cell fusion was carried out using a 1:1 ratio of 653 murine myeloma cells and viable murine spleen cells. Briefly, spleen cells and myeloma cells were pelleted together. The pellet was slowly resuspended over a 30 second period in 1 mL of 50% (w/v) PEG/PBS solution (PEG molecular weight of 1,450 g/mole, Sigma) at 37° C. The fusion was stopped by slowly adding 10.5 mL of RPMI media (no additives) (JRH) (37° C.) over 1 minute. The fused cells were centrifuged for 5 minutes at 750 rpm. The cells were then resuspended in HAT medium (RPMI/HEPES medium containing 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (JRH), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM L-glutamine, 10 μg/mL gentamicin, 2.5% Origen culturing supplement (Fisher), 50 μM 2-mercaptoethanol, 1% 653-conditioned RPMI media, 100 μM hypoxanthine, 0.4 μM aminopterin, and 16 μM thymidine) and then plated at 200 μL/well in five 96-well flat bottom tissue culture plates. The plates were then placed in a humidified 37° C. incubator containing 5% CO₂ and 95% air for 7-10 days.

Detection of Human IgG Anti-TNFα Antibodies in Mouse Serum. Solid phase EIAs were used to screen mouse sera for human IgG antibodies specific for human TNFα. Briefly, plates were coated with TNFα at 1 μg/mL in PBS overnight. After washing in 0.15 M saline containing 0.02% (v/v) Tween 20, the wells were blocked with 1% (w/v) BSA in PBS, 200 μL/well for 1 hour at RT. Plates were either used immediately or frozen at −20° C. for future use. Mouse sera were incubated in two-fold serial dilutions on the human TNFα-coated plates at 50 μL/well at RT for 1 hour. The plates were washed and then probed with 50 L/well HRP-labeled goat anti-human IgG, Fc specific (Accurate) diluted 1:30,000 in 1% BSA-PBS for 1 hour at RT. The plates were again washed and 100 L/well of the citrate-phosphate substrate solution (0.1 M citric acid and 0.2 M sodium phosphate, 0.01% H₂O₂ and 1 mg/mL OPD) was added for 15 minutes at RT. Stop solution (4N sulfuric acid) was then added at 25 μL/well and the OD's were read at 490 nm using an automated plate spectrophotometer.

Detection of Totally Human Immunoglobulins in Hybridoma Supernatants. Because the GenPharm mouse is capable of generating both mouse and human immunoglobulin chains, two separate EIA assays were used to test growth-positive hybridoma clones for the presence of both human light chains and human heavy chains. Plates were coated as described above and undiluted hybridoma supernatants were incubated on the plates for one hour at 37° C. The plates were washed and probed with either HRP-conjugated goat anti-human kappa (Southern Biotech) antibody diluted 1:10,000 in 1% BSA-HBSS or HRP-conjugated goat anti-human IgG Fc specific antibody diluted to 1:30,000 in 1% BSA-HBSS for one hour at 37° C. The plates were then incubated with substrate solution as described above. Hybridoma clones that did not give a positive signal in both the anti-human kappa and anti-human IgG Fc EIA formats were discarded.

Isotyping. Isotype determination of the antibodies was accomplished using an EIA in a format similar to that used to screen the mouse immune sera for specific titers. EIA plates were coated with goat anti-human IgG (H+L) at 10:g/mL in sodium carbonate buffer overnight at 4EC and blocked as described above. Neat supernatants from 24 well cultures were incubated on the plate for one hour at RT. The plate was washed and probed with HRP-labeled goat anti-human IgG₁, IgG₂, IgG₃ or IgG₄ (Binding Site) diluted at 1:4000 in 1% BSA-PBS for one hour at RT. The plate was again washed and incubated with substrate solution as described above.

Results and Discussion. Generation of Totally Human Anti-Human TNFα Monoclonal Antibodies. One fusion, named GenTNV, was performed from a GenPharm mouse immunized with recombinant human TNFα protein. From this fusion, 196 growth-positive hybrids were screened. Eight hybridoma cell lines were identified that secreted totally human IgG antibodies reactive with human TNFα. These eight cell lines each secreted immunoglobulins of the human IgG1κ isotype and all were subcloned twice by limiting dilution to obtain stable cell lines (>90% homogeneous). Cell line names and respective C code designations are listed in Table 1. Each of the cell lines was frozen in 12-vial research cell banks stored in liquid nitrogen.

Parental cells collected from wells of a 24-well culture dish for each of the eight cell lines were handed over to Molecular Biology group on Feb. 18, 1999 for transfection and further characterization.

TABLE 1 GenTNV Cell Line Designations C Code Name Designation GenTNV14.17.12 C414A GenTNV15.28.11 C415A GenTNV32.2.16 C416A GenTNV86.14.34 C417A GenTNV118.3.36 C418A GenTNV122.23.2 C419A GenTNV148.26.12 C420A GenTNV196.9.1 C421A

Conclusion.

The GenTNV fusion was performed utilizing splenocytes from a hybrid mouse containing human variable and constant region antibody transgenes that was immunized with recombinant human TNFα prepared at Centocor. Eight totally human, TNFα-reactive IgG monoclonal antibodies of the IgG1κ isotype were generated. Parental cell lines were transferred to Molecular Biology group for further characterization and development. One of these new human antibodies may prove useful in anti-inflammatory with the potential benefit of decreased immunogenicity and allergic-type complications as compared with Remicade.

Example 4: Cloning and Preparation of Cell Lines Expressing Human Anti-TNFα Antibody

Summary A panel of eight human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with a TNV designation were found to bind immobilized human TNFα with apparently high avidity. Seven of the eight mAbs were shown to efficiently block huTNFα binding to a recombinant TNF receptor. Sequence analysis of the DNA encoding the seven mAbs confirmed that all the mAbs had human V regions. The DNA sequences also revealed that three pairs of the mAbs were identical to each other, such that the original panel of eight mAbs contained only four distinct mAbs, represented by TNV14, TNV15, TNV148, and TNV196. Based on analyses of the deduced amino acid sequences of the mAbs and results of in vitro TNFα neutralization data, mAb TNV148 and TNV14 were selected for further study.

Because the proline residue at position 75 (framework 3) in the TNV148 heavy chain was not found at that position in other human antibodies of the same subgroup during a database search, site-directed DNA mutagenesis was performed to encode a serine residue at that position in order to have it conform to known germline framework e sequences. The serine modified mAb was designated TNV148B. PCR-amplified DNA encoding the heavy and light chain variable regions of TNV148B and TNV14 was cloned into newly prepared expression vectors that were based on the recently cloned heavy and light chain genes of another human mAb (12B75), disclosed in U.S. patent application No. 60/236,827, filed Oct. 7, 2000, entitled IL-12 Antibodies, Compositions, Methods and Uses, published as WO 02/12500 which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

P3X63Ag8.653 (653) cells or Sp2/0-Ag14 (Sp2/0) mouse myeloma cells were transfected with the respective heavy and light chain expression plasmids and screened through two rounds of subcloning for cell lines producing high levels of recombinant TNV148B and TNV14 (rTNV148B and rTNV14) mAbs. Evaluations of growth curves and stability of mAb production over time indicated that 653-transfectant clones C466D and C466C stably produced approximately 125:g/ml of rTNV148B mAb in spent cultures whereas Sp2/0 transfectant 1.73-12-122 (C467A) stably produced approximately 25:g/ml of rTNV148B mAb in spent cultures. Similar analyses indicated that Sp2/0-transfectant clone C476A produced 18:g/ml of rTNV14 in spent cultures.

Introduction. A panel of eight mAbs derived from human TNFα-immunized GenPharm/Medarex mice (HCo12/KCo5 genotype) were previously shown to bind human TNFα and to have a totally human IgG1, kappa isotype. A simple binding assay was used to determine whether the exemplary mAbs of the invention were likely to have TNFα-neutralizing activity by evaluating their ability to block TNFα from binding to recombinant TNF receptor. Based on those results, DNA sequence results, and in vitro characterizations of several of the mAbs, TNV148 was selected as the mAb to be further characterized.

DNA sequences encoding the TNV148 mAb were cloned, modified to fit into gene expression vectors that encode suitable constant regions, introduced into the well-characterized 653 and Sp2/0 mouse myeloma cells, and resulting transfected cell lines screened until subclones were identified that produced 40-fold more mAb than the original hybridoma cell line.

Materials and Methods.

Reagents and Cells. TRIZOL reagent was purchased from Gibco BRL. Proteinase K was obtained from Sigma Chemical Company. Reverse Transcriptase was obtained from Life Sciences, Inc. Taq DNA Polymerase was obtained from either Perkin Elmer Cetus or Gibco BRL. Restriction enzymes were purchased from New England Biolabs. QIAquick PCR Purification Kit was from Qiagen. A QuikChange Site-Directed Mutagenesis Kit was purchased from Stratagene. Wizard plasmid miniprep kits and RNasin were from Promega. Optiplates were obtained from Packard. ¹²⁵Iodine was purchased from Amersham. Custom oligonucleotides were purchased from Keystone/Biosource International. The names, identification numbers, and sequences of the oligonucleotides used in this work are shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Oligonucleotides Used to Clone, Engineer, or Sequence the TNV mAb Genes.

The amino acids encoded by oligonucleotide 5′14s and HuH-J6 are shown above the sequence. The ‘M’ amino acid residue represents the translation start codon. The underlined sequences in oligonucleotides 5′14s and HuH-J6 mark the BsiWI and BstBI restriction sites, respectively. The slash in HuH-J6 corresponds to the exon/intron boundary. Note that oligonucleotides whose sequence corresponds to the minus strand are written in a 3′-5′ orientation.

Name LD. Sequence HG1-4b 119 3′-TTGGTCCAGTCGACTGG-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 10) HG1-5b 354 3′-CACCTGCACTCGGTGCTT-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 11) HG1hg 360 3′-CACTGTTTTGAGTGTGTACGGGCTTAAGTT-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 12) HG1-6  35 3′-GCCGCACGTGTGGAAGGG-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 13) HCK1-3E 117 3′-AGTCAAGGTCGGACTGGCTTAAGTT-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 14) HuK-3′Hd 208 3′-GTTGTCCCCTCTCACAATCTTCGAATTT-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 15) HVKRNAseq  34 3′-GGCGGTAGACTACTCGTC-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 16) BwiWI M D W T W S I (SEQ ID NO: 17) 5′14s 366 5-TTTCGTACGCCACCATGGACTGGACCTGGAGCAT C-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 18) 5′46s 367 5′-TTTCGTACGCCACCATGGGGTTTGGGCTGAGCT G-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 19) 5′47s 368 5′-TTTCGTACGCCACCATGGAGTTTGGGCTGAGCA TG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 20) 5′63s 369 5′-TTTCGTACGCCACCATGAAACACCTGTGGTTCT TC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 21) 5′73s 370 5′-TTTCGTACGCCACCATGGGGTCAACCGCCATCC TC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 22) T V T V S S BstBI (SEQ ID NO: 23) HuH-J6 388 3′GTGCCAGTGGCAGAGGAGTCCATTCAAGCTTAAG TT-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 24) SalI M D M R V (SEQ ID NO: 25) LK7s 362 5′-TTTGTCGACACCATGGACATGAGGGTCC(TC) C-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 26) LVgs 363 5′-TTTGTCGACACCATGGAAGCCCCAGCTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 27) T K V D I K Afl2 (SEQ ID NO: 28) HuL-J3 380 3′CTGGTTTCACCTATAGTTTG/CATTCAGAATTCG GCGCCTTT (SEQ ID NO: 29) V148-QC1 399 5′-CATCTCCAGAGACAATtCCAAGAACACGCTGTA TC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 30) V148-QC2 400 3′-GTAGAGGTCTCTGTTAaGGTTCTTGTGCGACAT AG-5′ (SEQ ID NO: 31)

A single frozen vial of 653 mouse myeloma cells was obtained. The vial was thawed that day and expanded in T flasks in IMDM, 5% FBS, 2 mM glutamine (media). These cells were maintained in continuous culture until they were transfected 2 to 3 weeks later with the anti-TNF DNA described here. Some of the cultures were harvested 5 days after the thaw date, pelleted by centrifugation, and resuspended in 95% FBS, 5% DMSO, aliquoted into 30 vials, frozen, and stored for future use. Similarly, a single frozen vial of Sp2/0 mouse myeloma cells was obtained. The vial was thawed, a new freeze-down prepared as described above, and the frozen vials stored in CBC freezer boxes AA and AB. These cells were thawed and used for all Sp2/0 transfections described here.

Assay for Inhibition of TNF Binding to Receptor. Hybridoma cell supernatants containing the TNV mAbs were used to assay for the ability of the mAbs to block binding of ¹²⁵I-labeled TNFα to the recombinant TNF receptor fusion protein, p55-sf2 (Scallon et al. (1995) Cytokine 7:759-770). 50:l of p55-sf2 at 0.5:g/ml in PBS was added to Optiplates to coat the wells during a one-hour incubation at 37° C. Serial dilutions of the eight TNV cell supernatants were prepared in 96-well round-bottom plates using PBS/0.1% BSA as diluent. Cell supernatant containing anti-IL-18 mAb was included as a negative control and the same anti-IL-18 supernatant spiked with cA2 (anti-TNF chimeric antibody, Remicade, U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,198, entirely incorporated herein by reference) was included as a positive control. ¹²⁵I-labeled TNFα (58:Ci/:g, D. Shealy) was added to 100:l of cell supernatants to have a final TNFα concentration of 5 ng/ml. The mixture was preincubated for one hour at RT. The coated Optiplates were washed to remove unbound p55-sf2 and 50:l of the ¹²⁵I-TNFα/cell supernatant mixture was transferred to the Optiplates. After 2 hrs at RT, Optiplates were washed three times with PBS-Tween. 100:l of Microscint-20 was added and the cpm bound determined using the TopCount gamma counter.

Amplification of V Genes and DNA Sequence Analysis. Hybridoma cells were washed once in PBS before addition of TRIZOL reagent for RNA preparation. Between 7×10⁶ and 1.7×10⁷ cells were resuspended in 1 ml TRIZOL. Tubes were shaken vigorously after addition of 200 μl of chloroform. Samples were centrifuged at 4° C. for 10 minutes. The aqueous phase was transferred to a fresh microfuge tube and an equal volume of isopropanol was added. Tubes were shaken vigorously and allowed to incubate at room temperature for 10 minutes. Samples were then centrifuged at 4° C. for 10 minutes. The pellets were washed once with 1 ml of 70% ethanol and dried briefly in a vacuum dryer. The RNA pellets were resuspended with 40 μl of DEPC-treated water. The quality of the RNA preparations was determined by fractionating 0.5 μl in a 1% agarose gel. The RNA was stored in a −80° C. freezer until used.

To prepare heavy and light chain cDNAs, mixtures were prepared that included 3 μl of RNA and 1 μg of either oligonucleotide 119 (heavy chain) or oligonucleotide 117 (light chain) (see Table 1) in a volume of 11.5 μl. The mixture was incubated at 70° C. for 10 minutes in a water bath and then chilled on ice for 10 minutes. A separate mixture was prepared that was made up of 2.5 μl of 10× reverse transcriptase buffer, 10 μl of 2.5 mM dNTPs, 1 μl of reverse transcriptase (20 units), and 0.4 μl of ribonuclease inhibitor RNasin (1 unit). 13.5 μl of this mixture was added to the 11.5 μl of the chilled RNA/oligonucleotide mixture and the reaction incubated for 40 minutes at 42° C. The cDNA synthesis reaction was then stored in a −20° C. freezer until used.

The unpurified heavy and light chain cDNAs were used as templates to PCR-amplify the variable region coding sequences. Five oligonucleotide pairs (366/354, 367/354, 368/354, 369/354, and 370/354, Table 1) were simultaneously tested for their ability to prime amplification of the heavy chain DNA. Two oligonucleotide pairs (362/208 and 363/208) were simultaneously tested for their ability to prime amplification of the light chain DNA. PCR reactions were carried out using 2 units of PLATINUM™ high fidelity (HIFI) Taq DNA polymerase in a total volume of 50 μl. Each reaction included 2 μl of a cDNA reaction, 10 pmoles of each oligonucleotide, 0.2 mM dNTPs, 5 μl of 10×HIFI Buffer, and 2 mM magnesium sulfate. The thermal cycler program was 95° C. for 5 minutes followed by 30 cycles of (94° C. for 30 seconds, 62° C. for 30 seconds, 68° C. for 1.5 minutes). There was then a final incubation at 68° C. for 10 minutes.

To prepare the PCR products for direct DNA sequencing, they were purified using the QIAquick™ PCR Purification Kit according to the manufacturer's protocol. The DNA was eluted from the spin column using 50 μl of sterile water and then dried down to a volume of 10 μl using a vacuum dryer. DNA sequencing reactions were then set up with 1 μl of purified PCR product, 10 μM oligonucleotide primer, 4 μl BigDye Terminator™ ready reaction mix, and 14 μl sterile water for a total volume of 20 μl. Heavy chain PCR products made with oligonucleotide pair 367/354 were sequenced with oligonucleotide primers 159 and 360. Light chain PCR products made with oligonucleotide pair 363/208 were sequenced with oligonucleotides 34 and 163. The thermal cycler program for sequencing was 25 cycles of (96° C. for 30 seconds, 50° C. for 15 seconds, 60° C. for 4 minutes) followed by overnight at 4° C. The reaction products were fractionated through a polyacrylamide gel and detected using an ABI 377 DNA Sequencer.

Site-directed Mutagenesis to Change an Amino Acid. A single nucleotide in the TNV148 heavy chain variable region DNA sequence was changed in order to replace Pro⁷⁵ with a Serine residue in the TNV148 mAb. Complimentary oligonucleotides, 399 and 400 (Table 1), were designed and ordered to make this change using the QuikChange™ site-directed mutagenesis method as described by the manufacturer. The two oligonucleotides were first fractionated through a 15% polyacrylamide gel and the major bands purified. Mutagenesis reactions were prepared using either 10 ng or 50 ng of TNV148 heavy chain plasmid template (p1753), 5 μl of 10× reaction buffer, 1 μl of dNTP mix, 125 ng of primer 399, 125 ng of primer 400, and 1 μl of Pfu DNA Polymerase. Sterile water was added to bring the total volume to 50 μl. The reaction mix was then incubated in a thermal cycler programmed to incubate at 95° C. for 30 seconds, and then cycle 14 times with sequential incubations of 95° C. for 30 seconds, 55° C. for 1 minute, 64° C. for 1 minute, and 68° C. for 7 minutes, followed by 30° C. for 2 minutes (1 cycle). These reactions were designed to incorporate the mutagenic oligonucleotides into otherwise identical, newly synthesized plasmids. To rid of the original TNV148 plasmids, samples were incubated at 37° C. for 1 hour after addition of 1 μl of DpnI endonuclease, which cleaves only the original methylated plasmid. One 1 of the reaction was then used to transform Epicurian Coli XL1-Blue supercompetent E. coli by standard heat-shock methods and transformed bacteria identified after plating on LB-ampicillin agar plates. Plasmid minipreps were prepared using the Wizard™ kits as described by the manufacturer. After elution of sample from the Wizard™ column, plasmid DNA was precipitated with ethanol to further purify the plasmid DNA and then resuspended in 20 μl of sterile water. DNA sequence analysis was then performed to identify plasmid clones that had the desired base change and to confirm that no other base changes were inadvertently introduced into the TNV148 coding sequence. One 1 of plasmid was subjected to a cycle sequencing reaction prepared with 3 μl of BigDye mix, 1 μl of pUC19 Forward primer, and 10 μl of sterile water using the same parameters described in Section 4.3.

Construction of Expression Vectors from 12B75 Genes. Several recombinant DNA steps were performed to prepare a new human IgG1 expression vector and a new human kappa expression vector from the previously-cloned genomic copies of the 12B75-encoding heavy and light chain genes, respectively, disclosed in U.S. patent application No. 60/236,827, filed Oct. 7, 2000, entitled IL-12 Antibodies, Compositions, Methods and Uses, published as WO 02/12500, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. The final vectors were designed to permit simple, one-step replacement of the existing variable region sequences with any appropriately-designed, PCR-amplified, variable region.

To modify the 12B75 heavy chain gene in plasmid p1560, a 6.85 kb BamHI/HindIII fragment containing the promoter and variable region was transferred from p1560 to pUC19 to make p1743. The smaller size of this plasmid compared to p1560 enabled use of QuikChange™ mutagenesis (using oligonucleotides BsiWI-1 and BsiWI-2) to introduce a unique BsiWI cloning site just upstream of the translation initiation site, following the manufacturer's protocol. The resulting plasmid was termed p1747. To introduce a BstBI site at the 3′ end of the variable region, a 5′ oligonucleotide primer was designed with SalI and BstBI sites. This primer was used with the pUC reverse primer to amplify a 2.75 kb fragment from p1747. This fragment was then cloned back into the naturally-occurring SalI site in the 12B75 variable region and a HindIII site, thereby introducing the unique BstB1 site. The resulting intermediate vector, designated p1750, could accept variable region fragments with BsiWI and BstBI ends. To prepare a version of heavy chain vector in which the constant region also derived from the 12B75 gene, the BamHI-HindIII insert in p1750 was transferred to pBR322 in order to have an EcoRI site downstream of the HindIII site. The resulting plasmid, p1768, was then digested with HindIII and EcoRI and ligated to a 5.7 kb HindIII-EcoRI fragment from p1744, a subclone derived by cloning the large BamHI-BamHI fragment from p1560 into pBC. The resulting plasmid, p1784, was then used as vector for the TNV Ab cDNA fragments with BsiWI and BstBI ends. Additional work was done to prepare expression vectors, p1788 and p1798, which include the IgG1 constant region from the 12B75 gene and differ from each other by how much of the 12B75 heavy chain J-C intron they contain.

To modify the 12B75 light chain gene in plasmid p1558, a 5.7 kb SalI/AflII fragment containing the 12B75 promoter and variable region was transferred from p1558 into the XhoI/AflII sites of plasmid L28. This new plasmid, p1745, provided a smaller template for the mutagenesis step. Oligonucleotides (C340salI and C340sal2) were used to introduce a unique SalI restriction site at the 5′ end of the variable region by QuikChange™ mutagenesis. The resulting intermediate vector, p1746, had unique SalI and AflII restriction sites into which variable region fragments could be cloned. Any variable region fragment cloned into p1746 would preferably be joined with the 3′ half of the light chain gene. To prepare a restriction fragment from the 3′ half of the 12B75 light chain gene that could be used for this purpose, oligonucleotides BAHN-1 and BAHN-2 were annealed to each other to form a double-stranded linker containing the restriction sites BsiW1, AflII, HindII, and NotI and which contained ends that could be ligated into KpnI and SacI sites. This linker was cloned between the KpnI and SacI sites of pBC to give plasmid p1757. A 7.1 kb fragment containing the 12B75 light chain constant region, generated by digesting p1558 with AflII, then partially digesting with HindIII, was cloned between the AfMI and HindII sites of p1757 to yield p1762. This new plasmid contained unique sites for BsiWI and AflII into which the BsiWI/AflII fragment containing the promoter and variable regions could be transferred uniting the two halves of the gene.

cDNA Cloning and Assembly of Expression Plasmids. All RT-PCR reactions (see above) were treated with Klenow enzyme to further fill in the DNA ends. Heavy chain PCR fragments were digested with restriction enzymes BsiWI and BstBI and then cloned between the BsiWI and BstBI sites of plasmid L28 (L28 used because the 12B75-based intermediate vector p1750 had not been prepared yet). DNA sequence analysis of the cloned inserts showed that the resulting constructs were correct and that there were no errors introduced during PCR amplifications. The assigned identification numbers for these L28 plasmid constructs (for TNV14, TNV15, TNV148, TNV148B, and TNV196) are shown in Table 3.

The BsiWI/BstBI inserts for TNV14, TNV148, and TNV148B heavy chains were transferred from the L28 vector to the newly prepared intermediate vector, p1750. The assigned identification numbers for these intermediate plasmids are shown in Table 2. This cloning step and subsequent steps were not done for TNV15 and TNV196. The variable regions were then transferred into two different human IgG1 expression vectors. Restriction enzymes EcoRI and HindIII were used to transfer the variable regions into Centocor's previously-used IgG1 vector, p104. The resulting expression plasmids, which encode an IgG1 of the Gm(f+) allotype, were designated p1781 (TNV14), p1782 (TNV148), and p1783 (TNV148B) (see Table 2). The variable regions were also cloned upstream of the IgG1 constant region derived from the 12B75 (GenPharm) gene. Those expression plasmids, which encode an IgG1 of the G1 μm(z) allotype, are also listed in Table 3.

Table 3. Plasmid Identification Numbers for Various Heavy and Light Chain Plasmids.

The L28 vector or pBC vector represents the initial Ab cDNA clone. The inserts in those plasmids were transferred to an incomplete 12B75-based vector to make the intermediate plasmids. One additional transfer step resulted in the final expression plasmids that were either introduced into cells after being linearized or used to purify the mAb gene inserts prior to cell transfection. (ND)=not done.

Gm(f+) G1m(z) 128 vector Intermediate Expression Expression Mab Plasmid ID Plasmid ID Plasmid ID Plasmid ID Heavy Chains TNV14 p1751 p1777 p1781 p1786 TNV15 p1752 (ND) (ND) (ND) TNV148 p1753 p1778 p1782 p1787 TNV148B p1760 p1779 p1783 p1788 TNV196 p1754 (ND) (ND) (ND) pBC vector Intermediate Expression Plasmid ID Plasmid ID Plasmid ID Light Chains TNV14 p1748 p1755 p1775 TNV15 p1748 p1755 p1775 TNV148 p1749 p1756 p1776 TNV196 p1749 p1756 p1776

Light chain PCR products were digested with restriction enzymes SalI and SacII and then cloned between the SalI and SacII sites of plasmid pBC. The two different light chain versions, which differed by one amino acid, were designated p1748 and p1749 (Table 2). DNA sequence analysis confirmed that these constructs had the correct sequences. The SalI/AflII fragments in p1748 and p1749 were then cloned between the SalI and AflII sites of intermediate vector p1746 to make p1755 and p1756, respectively. These 5′ halves of the light chain genes were then joined to the 3′ halves of the gene by transferring the BsiWI/AflII fragments from p1755 and p1756 to the newly prepared construct p1762 to make the final expression plasmids p1775 and p1776, respectively (Table 2).

Cell Transfections, Screening, and Subcloning. A total of 15 transfections of mouse myeloma cells were performed with the various TNV expression plasmids (see Table 3 in the Results and Discussion section). These transfections were distinguished by whether (1) the host cells were Sp2/0 or 653; (2) the heavy chain constant region was encoded by Centocor's previous IgG1 vector or the 12B75 heavy chain constant region; (3) the mAb was TNV148B, TNV148, TNV14, or a new HC/LC combination; (4) whether the DNA was linearized plasmid or purified Ab gene insert; and (5) the presence or absence of the complete J-C intron sequence in the heavy chain gene. In addition, several of the transfections were repeated to increase the likelihood that a large number of clones could be screened.

Sp2/0 cells and 653 cells were each transfected with a mixture of heavy and light chain DNA (8-12:g each) by electroporation under standard conditions as previously described (Knight D M et al. (1993) Molecular Immunology 30:1443-1453). For transfection numbers 1, 2, 3, and 16, the appropriate expression plasmids were linearized by digestion with a restriction enzyme prior to transfection. For example, SalI and NotI restriction enzymes were used to linearize TNV148B heavy chain plasmid p1783 and light chain plasmid p1776, respectively. For the remaining transfections, DNA inserts that contained only the mAb gene were separated from the plasmid vector by digesting heavy chain plasmids with BamHI and light chain plasmids with BsiWI and NotI. The mAb gene inserts were then purified by agarose gel electrophoresis and Qiex purification resins. Cells transfected with purified gene inserts were simultaneously transfected with 3-5:g of PstI-linearized pSV2gpt plasmid (p13) as a source of selectable marker. Following electroporation, cells were seeded in 96-well tissue culture dishes in IMDM, 15% FBS, 2 mM glutamine and incubated at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ incubator. Two days later, an equal volume of IMDM, 5% FBS, 2 mM glutamine, 2×MHX selection (1×MHX=0.5:g/ml mycophenolic acid, 2.5:g/ml hypoxanthine, 50:g/ml xanthine) was added and the plates incubated for an additional 2 to 3 weeks while colonies formed.

Cell supernatants collected from wells with colonies were assayed for human IgG by ELISA as described. In brief, varying dilutions of the cell supernatants were incubated in 96-well EIA plates coated with polyclonal goat anti-human IgG Fc fragment and then bound human IgG was detected using Alkaline Phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-human IgG(H+L) and the appropriate color substrates. Standard curves, which used as standard the same purified mAb that was being measured in the cell supernatants, were included on each EIA plate to enable quantitation of the human IgG in the supernatants. Cells in those colonies that appeared to be producing the most human IgG were passaged into 24-well plates for additional production determinations in spent cultures and the highest-producing parental clones were subsequently identified.

The highest-producing parental clones were subcloned to identify higher-producing subclones and to prepare a more homogenous cell line. 96-well tissue culture plates were seeded with one cell per well or four cells per well in of IMDM, 5% FBS, 2 mM glutamine, 1×MHX and incubated at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ incubator for 12 to 20 days until colonies were apparent. Cell supernatants were collected from wells that contained one colony per well and analyzed by ELISA as described above. Selected colonies were passaged to 24-well plates and the cultures allowed to go spent before identifying the highest-producing subclones by quantitating the human IgG levels in their supernatants. This process was repeated when selected first-round subclones were subjected to a second round of subcloning. The best second-round subclones were selected as the cell lines for development.

Characterization of Cell Subclones. The best second-round subclones were chosen and growth curves performed to evaluate mAb production levels and cell growth characteristics. T75 flasks were seeded with 1×10⁵ cells/ml in 30 ml IMDM, 5% FBS, 2 mM glutamine, and 1×MHX (or serum-free media). Aliquots of 300 μl were taken at 24 hr intervals and live cell density determined. The analyses continued until the number of live cells was less than 1×10⁵ cells/ml. The collected aliquots of cell supernatants were assayed for the concentration of antibody present. ELISA assays were performed using as standard rTNV148B or rTNV14 JG92399. Samples were incubated for 1 hour on ELISA plates coated with polyclonal goat anti-human IgG Fc and bound mAb detected with Alkaline Phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-human IgG(H+L) at a 1:1000 dilution.

A different growth curve analysis was also done for two cell lines for the purpose of comparing growth rates in the presence of varying amounts of MHX selection. Cell lines C466A and C466B were thawed into MHX-free media (IMDM, 5% FBS, 2 mM glutamine) and cultured for two additional days. Both cell cultures were then divided into three cultures that contained either no MHX, 0.2×MHX, or 1×MHX (1×MHX=0.5:g/ml mycophenolic acid, 2.5:g/ml hypoxanthine, 50:g/ml xanthine). One day later, fresh T75 flasks were seeded with the cultures at a starting density of 1×10⁵ cells/ml and cells counted at 24 hour intervals for one week. Aliquots for mAb production were not collected. Doubling times were calculated for these samples using the formula provided in SOP PD32.025.

Additional studies were performed to evaluate stability of mAb production over time. Cultures were grown in 24-well plates in IMDM, 5% FBS, 2 mM glutamine, either with or without MHX selection. Cultures were split into fresh cultures whenever they became confluent and the older culture was then allowed to go spent. At this time, an aliquot of supernatant was taken and stored at 4° C. Aliquots were taken over a 55-78 day period. At the end of this period, supernatants were tested for amount of antibody present by the anti-human IgG Fc ELISA as outlined above.

Results and Discussion. Inhibition of TNF Binding to Recombinant Receptor.

A simple binding assay was done to determine whether the eight TNV mAbs contained in hybridoma cell supernatant were capable of blocking TNFα binding to receptor. The concentrations of the TNV mAbs in their respective cell supernatants were first determined by standard ELISA analysis for human IgG. A recombinant p55 TNF receptor/IgG fusion protein, p55-sf2, was then coated on EIA plates and ¹²⁵I-labeled TNFα allowed to bind to the p55 receptor in the presence of varying amounts of TNV mAbs. As shown in FIG. 1 , all but one (TNV122) of the eight TNV mAbs efficiently blocked TNFα binding to p55 receptor. In fact, the TNV mAbs appeared to be more effective at inhibiting TNFα binding than cA2 positive control mAb that had been spiked into negative control hybridoma supernatant. These results were interpreted as indicating that it was highly likely that the TNV mAbs would block TNFα bioactivity in cell-based assays and in vivo and therefore additional analyses were warranted.

DNA Sequence Analysis.

Confirmation that the RNAs Encode Human mAbs.

As a first step in characterizing the seven TNV mAbs (TNV14, TNV15, TNV32, TNV86, TNV118, TNV148, and TNV196) that showed TNFα-blocking activity in the receptor binding assay, total RNA was isolated from the seven hybridoma cell lines that produce these mAbs. Each RNA sample was then used to prepare human antibody heavy or light chain cDNA that included the complete signal sequence, the complete variable region sequence, and part of the constant region sequence for each mAb. These cDNA products were then amplified in PCR reactions and the PCR-amplified DNA was directly sequenced without first cloning the fragments. The heavy chain cDNAs sequenced were >90% identical to one of the five human germline genes present in the mice, DP-46 (FIG. 2 ). Similarly, the light chain cDNAs sequenced were either 100% or 98% identical to one of the human germline genes present in the mice (FIG. 3 ). These sequence results confirmed that the RNA molecules that were transcribed into cDNA and sequenced encoded human antibody heavy chains and human antibody light chains. It should be noted that, because the variable regions were PCR-amplified using oligonucleotides that map to the 5′ end of the signal sequence coding sequence, the first few amino acids of the signal sequence may not be the actual sequence of the original TNV translation products but they do represent the actual sequences of the recombinant TNV mAbs.

Unique Neutralizing mAbs.

Analyses of the cDNA sequences for the entire variable regions of both heavy and light chains for each mAb revealed that TNV32 is identical to TNV15, TNV118 is identical to TNV14, and TNV86 is identical to TNV148. The results of the receptor binding assay were consistent with the DNA sequence analyses, i.e. both TNV86 and TNV148 were approximately 4-fold better than both TNV118 and TNV14 at blocking TNF binding. Subsequent work was therefore focused on only the four unique TNV mAbs, TNV14, TNV15, TNV148, and TNV196.

Relatedness of the Four mAbs

The DNA sequence results revealed that the genes encoding the heavy chains of the four TNV mAbs were all highly homologous to each other and appear to have all derived from the same germline gene, DP-46 (FIG. 2 ). In addition, because each of the heavy chain CDR3 sequences are so similar and of the same length, and because they all use the J6 exon, they apparently arose from a single VDJ gene rearrangement event that was then followed by somatic changes that made each mAb unique. DNA sequence analyses revealed that there were only two distinct light chain genes among the four mAbs (FIG. 3 ). The light chain variable region coding sequences in TNV14 and TNV15 are identical to each other and to a representative germline sequence of the Vg/38K family of human kappa chains. The TNV148 and TNV196 light chain coding sequences are identical to each other but differ from the germline sequence at two nucleotide positions (FIG. 3 ).

The deduced amino acid sequences of the four mAbs revealed the relatedness of the actual mAbs. The four mAbs contain four distinct heavy chains (FIG. 4 ) but only two distinct light chains (FIG. 5 ). Differences between the TNV mAb sequences and the germline sequences were mostly confined to CDR domains but three of the mAb heavy chains also differed from the germline sequence in the framework regions (FIG. 4 ). Compared to the DP-46 germline-encoded Ab framework regions, TNV14 was identical, TNV15 differed by one amino acid, TNV148 differed by two amino acids, and TNV196 differed by three amino acids.

Cloning of cDNAs, Site-specific Mutagenesis, and Assembly of Final Expression Plasmids. Cloning of cDNAs. Based on the DNA sequence of the PCR-amplified variable regions, new oligonucleotides were ordered to perform another round of PCR amplification for the purpose of adapting the coding sequence to be cloned into expression vectors. In the case of the heavy chains, the products of this second round of PCR were digested with restriction enzymes BsiWI and BstBI and cloned into plasmid vector L28 (plasmid identification numbers shown in Table 2). In the case of the light chains, the second-round PCR products were digested with SalI and AfIII and cloned into plasmid vector pBC. Individual clones were then sequenced to confirm that their sequences were identical to the previous sequence obtained from direct sequencing of PCR products, which reveals the most abundant nucleotide at each position in a potentially heterogeneous population of molecules.

Site-specific Mutagenesis to Change TNV148. mAbs TNV148 and TNV196 were being consistently observed to be four-fold more potent than the next best mAb (TNV14) at neutralizing TNFα bioactivity. However, as described above, the TNV148 and TNV196 heavy chain framework sequences differed from the germline framework sequences. A comparison of the TNV148 heavy chain sequence to other human antibodies indicated that numerous other human mAbs contained an Ile residue at position 28 in framework 1 (counting mature sequence only) whereas the Pro residue at position 75 in framework 3 was an unusual amino acid at that position.

A similar comparison of the TNV196 heavy chain suggested that the three amino acids by which it differs from the germline sequence in framework 3 may be rare in human mAbs. There was a possibility that these differences may render TNV148 and TNV196 immunogenic if administered to humans. Because TNV148 had only one amino acid residue of concern and this residue was believed to be unimportant for TNFα binding, a site-specific mutagenesis technique was used to change a single nucleotide in the TNV148 heavy chain coding sequence (in plasmid p1753) so that a germline Ser residue would be encoded in place of the Pro residue at position 75. The resulting plasmid was termed p1760 (see Table 2). The resulting gene and mAb were termed TNV148B to distinguish it from the original TNV148 gene and mAb (see FIG. 5 ).

Assembly of Final Expression Plasmids. New antibody expression vectors were prepared that were based on the 12B75 heavy chain and light chain genes previously cloned as genomic fragments. Although different TNV expression plasmids were prepared (see Table 2), in each case the 5′ flanking sequences, promoter, and intron enhancer derived from the respective 12B75 genes. For the light chain expression plasmids, the complete J-C intron, constant region coding sequence and 3′ flanking sequence were also derived from the 12B75 light chain gene. For the heavy chain expression plasmids that resulted in the final production cell lines (p1781 and p1783, see below), the human IgG1 constant region coding sequences derived from Centocor's previously-used expression vector (p104). Importantly, the final production cell lines reported here express a different allotype (Gm(f+)) of the TNV mAbs than the original, hybridoma-derived TNV mAbs (G1m(z)). This is because the 12B75 heavy chain gene derived from the GenPharm mice encodes an Arg residue at the C-terminal end of the CH1 domain whereas Centocor's IgG1 expression vector p104 encodes a Lys residue at that position. Other heavy chain expression plasmids (e.g. p1786 and p1788) were prepared in which the J-C intron, complete constant region coding sequence and 3′ flanking sequence were derived from the 12B75 heavy chain gene, but cell lines transfected with those genes were not selected as the production cell lines. Vectors were carefully designed to permit one-step cloning of future PCR-amplified V regions that would result in final expression plasmids.

PCR-amplified variable region cDNAs were transferred from L28 or pBC vectors to intermediate-stage, 12B75-based vectors that provided the promoter region and part of the J-C intron (see Table 2 for plasmid identification numbers). Restriction fragments that contained the 5′ half of the antibody genes were then transferred from these intermediate-stage vectors to the final expression vectors that provided the 3′ half of the respective genes to form the final expression plasmids (see Table 2 for plasmid identification numbers).

Cell Transfections and Subcloning. Expression plasmids were either linearized by restriction digest or the antibody gene inserts in each plasmid were purified away from the plasmid backbones. Sp2/0 and 653 mouse myeloma cells were transfected with the heavy and light chain DNA by electroporation. Fifteen different transfections were done, most of which were unique as defined by the Ab, specific characteristics of the Ab genes, whether the genes were on linearized whole plasmids or purified gene inserts, and the host cell line (summarized in Table 4). Cell supernatants from clones resistant to mycophenolic acid were assayed for the presence of human IgG by ELISA and quantitated using purified rTNV148B as a reference standard curve.

Highest-Producing rTNV148B Cell Lines

Ten of the best-producing 653 parental lines from rTNV148B transfection 2 (produced 5-10:g/ml in spent 24-well cultures) were subcloned to screen for higher-producing cell lines and to prepare a more homogeneous cell population. Two of the subclones of the parental line 2.320, 2.320-17 and 2.320-20, produced approximately 50:g/ml in spent 24-well cultures, which was a 5-fold increase over their parental line. A second round of subcloning of subcloned lines 2.320-17 and 2.320-20 led

The identification numbers of the heavy and light chain plasmids that encode each mAb are shown. In the case of transfections done with purified mAb gene inserts, plasmid p13 (pSV2gpt) was included as a source of the gpt selectable marker. The heavy chain constant regions were encoded either by the same human IgG1 expression vector used to encode Remicade (‘old’) or by the constant regions contained within the 12B75 (GenPharm/Medarex) heavy chain gene (‘new’). H1/L2 refers to a “novel” mAb made up of the TNV14 heavy chain and the TNV148 light chain. Plasmids p1783 and p1801 differ only by how much of the J-C intron their heavy chain genes contain. The transfection numbers, which define the first number of the generic names for cell clones, are shown on the right. The rTNV148B-producing cell lines C466 (A, B, C, D) and C467A described here derived from transfection number 2 and 1, respectively. The rTNV14-producing cell line C476A derived from transfection number 3.

TABLE 4 Summary of Cell Transfections. Transfection no. Plasmids HC DNA mAb HC/LC/gpt vector format Sp2/0 653 rTNV148B 1783/1776 old linear 1  2 rTNV14 1781/1775 old linear 3 — rTNV148B 1788/1776/13 new insert 4, 6  5, 7  rTNV14 1786/1775/13 new insert 8, 10 9, 11 rTNV148 1787/1776/13 new insert 12 17 rH1/L2 1786/1776/13 new insert 13 14 rTNV148B 1801/1776 old linear 16

ELISA assays on spent 24-well culture supernatants indicated that these second-round subclones all produced between 98 and 124:g/ml, which was at least a 2-fold increase over the first-round subclones. These 653 cell lines were assigned C code designations as shown in Table 5.

Three of the best-producing Sp2/0 parental lines from rTNV148B transfection 1 were subcloned. Two rounds of subcloning of parental line 1.73 led to the identification of a clone that produced 25:g/ml in spent 24-well cultures. This Sp2/0 cell line was designated C467A (Table 5).

Highest-Producing rTNV14 Cell Lines

Three of the best-producing Sp2/0 parental lines from rTNV14 transfection 3 were subcloned once. Subclone 3.27-1 was found to be the highest-producer in spent 24-well cultures with a production of 19:g/ml. This cell line was designated C476A (Table 5).

Table 5. Summary of Selected Production Cell Lines and their C Codes.

The first digit of the original clone names indicates which transfection the cell line derived from. All of the C-coded cell lines reported here were derived from transfections with heavy and light chain whole plasmids that had been linearized with restriction enzymes.

Original Spent 24-well mAb Clone Name C code Host Cell Production rTNV148B 2.320-17-36 C466A 653 103: g/ml 2.320-20-111 C466B 653 102: g/ml 2.320-17-4 C466C 653 98: g/ml 2.320-20-99 C466E 653 124: g/ml 1.73-12-122 C467A Sp2/0 25: g/ml rTNV14 3.27-1 C476A Sp2/0 19: g/ml

Characterization of Subcloned Cell Lines

To more carefully characterize cell line growth characteristics and determine mAb-production levels on a larger scale, growth curves analyses were performed using T75 cultures. The results showed that each of the four C466 series of cell lines reached peak cell density between 1.0×10⁶ and 1.25×10⁶ cells/ml and maximal mAb accumulation levels of between 110 and 140:g/ml (FIG. 7 ). In contrast, the best-producing Sp2/0 subclone, C467A, reached peak cell density of 2.0×10⁶ cells/ml and maximal mAb accumulation levels of 25:g/ml (FIG. 7 ). A growth curve analysis was not done on the rTNV14-producing cell line, C476A.

An additional growth curve analysis was done to compare the growth rates in different concentrations of MHX selection. This comparison was prompted by recent observations that C466 cells cultured in the absence of MHX seemed to be growing faster than the same cells cultured in the normal amount of MHX (1×). Because the cytotoxic concentrations of compounds such as mycophenolic acid tend to be measured over orders of magnitude, it was considered possible that the use of a lower concentration of MHX might result in significantly faster cell doubling times without sacrificing stability of mAb production. Cell lines C466A and C466B were cultured either in: no MHX, 0.2×MHX, or 1×MHX. Live cell counts were taken at 24-hour intervals for 7 days. The results did reveal an MHX concentration-dependent rate of cell growth (FIG. 8 ). Cell line C466A showed a doubling time of 25.0 hours in 1×MHX but only 20.7 hours in no MHX. Similarly, cell line C466B showed a doubling time of 32.4 hours in 1×MHX but only 22.9 hours in no MHX. Importantly, the doubling times for both cell lines in 0.2×MHX were more similar to what was observed in no MHX than in 1×MHX (FIG. 8 ). This observation raises the possibility than enhanced cell performance in bioreactors, for which doubling times are an important parameter, could be realized by using less MHX. However, although stability test results (see below) suggest that cell line C466D is capable of stably producing rTNV148B for at least 60 days even with no MHX present, the stability test also showed higher mAb production levels when the cells were cultured in the presence of MHX compared to the absence of MHX.

To evaluate mAb production from the various cell lines over a period of approximately 60 days, stability tests were performed on cultures that either contained, or did not contain, MHX selection. Not all of the cell lines maintained high mAb production. After just two weeks of culture, clone C466A was producing approximately 45% less than at the beginning of the study. Production from clone C466B also appeared to drop significantly. However, clones C466C and C466D maintained fairly stable production, with C466D showing the highest absolute production levels (FIG. 9 ).

Conclusion

From an initial panel of eight human mAbs against human TNFα, TNV148B was selected as preferred based on several criteria that included protein sequence and TNF neutralization potency, as well as TNV14. Cell lines were prepared that produce greater than 100:g/ml of rTNV148B and 19:g/ml rTNV14.

Example 5: Arthritic Mice Study Using Anti-TNF Antibodies and Controls Using Single Bolus Injection

At approximately 4 weeks of age the Tg197 study mice were assigned, based on gender and body weight, to one of 9 treatment groups and treated with a single intraperitoneal bolus dose of Dulbecco's PBS (D-PBS) or an anti-TNF antibody of the present invention (TNV14, TNV148 or TNV196) at either 1 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg.

RESULTS: When the weights were analyzed as a change from pre-dose, the animals treated with 10 mg/kg cA2 showed consistently higher weight gain than the D-PBS-treated animals throughout the study. This weight gain was significant at weeks 3-7. The animals treated with 10 mg/kg TNV148 also achieved significant weight gain at week 7 of the study. (See FIG. 10 ).

FIGS. 11A-C represent the progression of disease severity based on the arthritic index. The 10 mg/kg cA2-treated group's arthritic index was lower than the D-PBS control group starting at week 3 and continuing throughout the remainder of the study (week 7). The animals treated with 1 mg/kg TNV14 and the animals treated with 1 mg/kg cA2 failed to show significant reduction in AI after week 3 when compared to the D-PBS-treated Group. There were no significant differences between the 10 mg/kg treatment groups when each was compared to the others of similar dose (10 mg/kg cA2 compared to 10 mg/kg TNV14, 148 and 196). When the 1 mg/kg treatment groups were compared, the 1 mg/kg TNV148 showed a significantly lower AI than 1 mg/kg cA2 at 3, 4 and 7 weeks. The 1 mg/kg TNV148 was also significantly lower than the 1 mg/kg TNV14-treated Group at 3 and 4 weeks. Although TNV196 showed significant reduction in AI up to week 6 of the study (when compared to the D-PBS-treated Group), TNV148 was the only 1 mg/kg treatment that remained significant at the conclusion of the study.

Example 6: Arthritic Mice Study Using Anti-TNF Antibodies and Controls as Multiple Bolus Doses

At approximately 4 weeks of age the Tg197 study mice were assigned, based on body weight, to one of 8 treatment groups and treated with a intraperitoneal bolus dose of control article (D-PBS) or antibody (TNV14, TNV148) at 3 mg/kg (week 0). Injections were repeated in all animals at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4. Groups 1-6 were evaluated for test article efficacy. Serum samples, obtained from animals in Groups 7 and 8 were evaluated for immune response induction and pharmacokinetic clearance of TNV14 or TNV148 at weeks 2, 3 and 4.

RESULTS: No significant differences were noted when the weights were analyzed as a change from pre-dose. The animals treated with 10 mg/kg cA2 showed consistently higher weight gain than the D-PBS-treated animals throughout the study. (See FIG. 12 ).

FIGS. 13A-C represent the progression of disease severity based on the arthritic index. The 10 mg/kg cA2-treated group's arthritic index was significantly lower than the D-PBS control group starting at week 2 and continuing throughout the remainder of the study (week 5). The animals treated with 1 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg of cA2 and the animals treated with 3 mg/kg TNV14 failed to achieve any significant reduction in AI at any time throughout the study when compared to the d-PBS control group. The animals treated with 3 mg/kg TNV148 showed a significant reduction when compared to the d-PBS-treated group starting at week 3 and continuing through week 5. The 10 mg/kg cA2-treated animals showed a significant reduction in AI when compared to both the lower doses (1 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg) of cA2 at weeks 4 and 5 of the study and was also significantly lower than the TNV14-treated animals at weeks 3-5. Although there appeared to be no significant differences between any of the 3 mg/kg treatment groups, the AI for the animals treated with 3 mg/kg TNV14 were significantly higher at some time points than the 10 mg/kg whereas the animals treated with TNV148 were not significantly different from the animals treated with 10 mg/kg of cA2.

Example 7: Arthritic Mice Study Using Anti-TNF Antibodies and Controls as Single Intraperitoneal Bolus Dose

At approximately 4 weeks of age the Tg197 study mice were assigned, based on gender and body weight, to one of 6 treatment groups and treated with a single intraperitoneal bolus dose of antibody (cA2, or TNV148) at either 3 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg. This study utilized the D-PBS and 10 mg/kg cA2 control Groups.

When the weights were analyzed as a change from pre-dose, all treatments achieved similar weight gains. The animals treated with either 3 or 5 mg/kg TNV148 or 5 mg/kg cA2 gained a significant amount of weight early in the study (at weeks 2 and 3). Only the animals treated with TNV148 maintained significant weight gain in the later time points. Both the 3 and 5 mg/kg TNV148-treated animals showed significance at 7 weeks and the 3 mg/kg TNV148 animals were still significantly elevated at 8 weeks post injection. (See FIG. 14 ).

FIG. 15 represents the progression of disease severity based on the arthritic index. All treatment groups showed some protection at the earlier time points, with the 5 mg/kg cA2 and the 5 mg/kg TNV148 showing significant reductions in AI at weeks 1-3 and all treatment groups showing a significant reduction at week 2. Later in the study the animals treated with 5 mg/kg cA2 showed some protection, with significant reductions at weeks 4, 6 and 7. The low dose (3 mg/kg) of both the cA2 and the TNV148 showed significant reductions at 6 and all treatment groups showed significant reductions at week 7. None of the treatment groups were able to maintain a significant reduction at the conclusion of the study (week 8). There were no significant differences between any of the treatment groups (excluding the saline control group) at any time point.

Example 8: Arthritic Mice Study Using Anti-TNF Antibodies and Controls as Single Intraperitoneal Bolus Dose Between Anti-TNF Antibody and Modified Anti-TNF Antibody

To compare the efficacy of a single intraperitoneal dose of TNV148 (derived from hybridoma cells) and rTNV148B (derived from transfected cells). At approximately 4 weeks of age the Tg197 study mice were assigned, based on gender and body weight, to one of 9 treatment groups and treated with a single intraperitoneal bolus dose of Dulbecco=S PBS (D-PBS) or antibody (TNV148, rTNV148B) at 1 mg/kg.

When the weights were analyzed as a change from pre-dose, the animals treated with 10 mg/kg cA2 showed a consistently higher weight gain than the D-PBS-treated animals throughout the study. This weight gain was significant at weeks 1 and weeks 3-8. The animals treated with 1 mg/kg TNV148 also achieved significant weight gain at weeks 5, 6 and 8 of the study. (See FIG. 16 ).

FIG. 17 represents the progression of disease severity based on the arthritic index. The 10 mg/kg cA2-treated group's arthritic index was lower than the D-PBS control group starting at week 4 and continuing throughout the remainder of the study (week 8). Both of the TNV148-treated Groups and the 1 mg/kg cA2-treated Group showed a significant reduction in AI at week 4. Although a previous study (P-099-017) showed that TNV148 was slightly more effective at reducing the Arthritic Index following a single 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal bolus, this study showed that the AI from both versions of the TNV antibody-treated groups was slightly higher. Although (with the exception of week 6) the 1 mg/kg cA2-treated Group was not significantly increased when compared to the 10 mg/kg cA2 group and the TNV148-treated Groups were significantly higher at weeks 7 and 8, there were no significant differences in AI between the 1 mg/kg cA2, 1 mg/kg TNV148 and 1 mg/kg TNV148B at any point in the study.

Example 9: Manufacturing Processes to Produce SIMPONI® (Golimumab) Background for Golimumab

Therapies with anti-TNFα agents have been used successfully in the treatment of inflammatory arthritides, but the early anti-TNFα agents had limitations with respect to safety, dosing regimen, cost, and/or immunogenicity. To address some of the limitations, a fully human anti-TNFα mAb was developed, designated SIMPONI® (golimumab). Golimumab (also known as CNTO 148 and rTNV148B) is a fully human monoclonal antibody with an Immunoglobulin G 1 (IgG1) heavy chain isotype (G1m[z] allotype) and a kappa light chain isotype. Golimumab has a heavy chain (HC) comprising SEQ ID NO:36 and a light chain (LC) comprising SEQ ID NO:37. The molecular weight of golimumab ranges from 149,802 to 151,064 daltons.

Golimumab forms high affinity, stable complexes with both the soluble and transmembrane bioactive forms of human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) with high affinity and specificity which prevents the binding of TNFα to its receptors and neutralizes TNFα bioactivity. No binding to other TNFα superfamily ligands was observed; in particular, golimumab does not bind or neutralize human lymphotoxin. TNFα is synthesized primarily by activated monocytes, macrophages and T cells as a transmembrane protein that self-associates to form a bioactive homotrimer that is rapidly released from the cell surface by proteolysis. The binding of TNFα to either the p55 or p75 TNF receptors leads to clustering of the receptor cytoplasmic domains and initiates signaling. Tumor necrosis factor α has been identified as a key sentinel cytokine that is produced in response to various stimuli and subsequently promotes the inflammatory response through activation of the caspase-dependent apoptosis pathway and the transcription factors nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Tumor necrosis factor α also modulates the immune response through its role in the organization of immune cells in germinal centers. Elevated expression of TNFα has been linked to chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as spondyloarthropathies such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and is an important mediator of the articular inflammation and structural damage that are characteristic of these diseases.

Clinical Trials with Golimumab

In a global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study of subcutaneously (SC) administered golimumab in subjects with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) (Study C0524T09), golimumab was demonstrated to be efficacious in improving the signs and symptoms, physical function, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in subjects affected by Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Furthermore, safety analyses showed that SC golimumab was generally well tolerated and demonstrated a safety profile similar to that observed with other anti-TNFα agents.

Given the known safety and efficacy of SC golimumab, it was anticipated that IV golimumab would also prove efficacious with an acceptable safety profile consistent with other anti-TNFα agents in rheumatologic diseases such as RA, PsA, and AS. Intravenous golimumab has been definitively studied in a Phase 3 study (CNTO148ART3001) that formed the basis of approval for the treatment of RA. The CNTO148ART3001 study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, 2-arm study of the efficacy and safety of IV administration of golimumab 2 mg/kg infusions administered over a period of 30±10 minutes at Weeks 0, 4, and every 8 weeks (q8w) thereafter in subjects with active RA despite concurrent methotrexate (MTX) therapy. Subjects with active RA despite MTX were randomized to receive either placebo infusions or IV golimumab administered 2 mg/kg at Weeks 0, 4, and every 8 weeks through Week 24. Starting at Week 24, all subjects were treated with IV golimumab through Week 100. It was demonstrated that IV golimumab provided substantial benefits in improving RA signs and symptoms, physical function, and health related quality of life, as well as inhibiting the progression of structural damage. Golimumab administered intravenously in the treatment of RA (CNTO148ART3001) demonstrated robust efficacy and an acceptable safety profile with a low incidence of infusion reactions.

More recently, two Phase 3 studies were designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) golimumab in the treatment of subjects with active Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and active Psoriatric Arthritis (PsA). The IV route of administration in subjects is being evaluated since currently available IV anti-TNFα agents have limitations with respect to immunogenicity and infusion reactions, and have longer infusion times (60 to 120 minutes) compared with the 30±10 minute infusions with IV golimumab. Patients may also prefer the maintenance dosage schedule IV golimumab rather than more frequent administrations compared with SC agents.

Manufacturing Process Overview

Simponi (golimumab) is manufactured in a 9-stage process that includes continuous perfusion cell culture followed by purification. An overview of the manufacturing process is provided in FIG. 18 .

As used herein, the terms “culture”, “culturing”, “cultured”, and “cell culture” refer to a cell population that is suspended in a medium under conditions suitable to survival and/or growth of the cell population. As will be clear from context to those of ordinary skill in the art, these terms as used herein also refer to the combination comprising the cell population and the medium in which the population is suspended. Cell culture includes, e.g., cells grown by batch, fed-batch or perfusion cell culture methods and the like. In certain embodiments, the cell culture is a mammalian cell culture.

Cell lines for use in the present invention include mammalian cell lines including, but not limited to, Chinese hamster vary cells (CHO cells), human embryonic kidney cells (HEK cells), baby hamster kidney cells (BHK cells), mouse myeloma cells (e.g., NS0 cells and Sp2/0 cells), and human retinal cells (e.g., PER.C6 cells).

As used herein, the terms “chemically defined medium” or “chemically defined media” refer to a synthetic growth medium in which the identity and concentration of all the components are known. Chemically defined media do not contain bacterial, yeast, animal, or plant extracts, animal serum or plasma although they may or may not include individual plant or animal-derived components (e.g., proteins, polypeptides, etc). Chemically defined media may contain inorganic salts such as phosphates, sulfates, and the like needed to support growth. The carbon source is defined, and is usually a sugar such as glucose, lactose, galactose, and the like, or other compounds such as glycerol, lactate, acetate, and the like. While certain chemically defined media also use phosphate salts as a buffer, other buffers may be employed such as citrate, triethanolamine, and the like. As used herein, a chemically defined medium contains no more than micromolar amounts of any metal ion. Examples of commercially available chemically defined mediums include, but are not limited to, ThermoFisher's CD Hybridoma Medium and CD Hybridoma AGT™ Medium, various Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's (DME) mediums (Sigma-Aldrich Co; SAFC Biosciences, Inc), Ham's Nutrient Mixture (Sigma-Aldrich Co; SAFC Biosciences, Inc), combinations thereof, and the like. Methods of preparing chemically defined mediums are known in the art, for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,171,825 and 6,936,441, WO 2007/077217, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2008/0009040 and 2007/0212770.

The term “bioreactor” as used herein refers to any vessel useful for the growth of a cell culture. The bioreactor can be of any size so long as it is useful for the culturing of cells. In certain embodiments, such cells are mammalian cells. Typically, the bioreactor will be at least 1 liter and may be 10, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, 8,000, 10,000, 12,000 liters or more, or any volume in between. The internal conditions of the bioreactor, including, but not limited to pH and temperature, are optionally controlled during the culturing period. The bioreactor can be composed of any material that is suitable for holding mammalian cell cultures suspended in media under the culture conditions of the present invention, including glass, plastic or metal. The term “production bioreactor” as used herein refers to the final bioreactor used in the production of the polypeptide or glycoprotein of interest. The volume of the production bioreactor is typically at least 500 liters and may be 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, 8,000, 10,000, 12,000 liters or more, or any volume in between. One of ordinary skill in the art will be aware of and will be able to choose suitable bioreactors for use in practicing the present invention.

Preculture, cell expansion, and cell production are performed in Stages 1 and 2. In Stage 1, preculture is initiated from a single working cell bank vial of transfected Sp2/0 cells expressing the HC and LC sequences of golimumab and the cells are expanded in culture flasks, disposable culture bags, and either a 50-L perfusion seed bioreactor equipped with an internal spin filter or a 200-L perfusion seed bioreactor equipped with an alternating tangential flow hollow-fiber filter (ATF) cell retention system. The cells are cultured until the cell density and volume required for inoculation of a 500-L or a 1000-L production bioreactor are obtained. In Stage 2, the cell culture is continuously perfused in a 500-L or a 1000-L production bioreactor using an ATF system. Cell culture permeate (harvest) is collected from the ATF system while cells are returned to the bioreactor, and the culture is replenished with fresh medium. Biomass removed from the bioreactor may be combined with harvest withdrawn from the ATF system and then may be clarified to create a pooled harvest for further processing.

Purification of golimumab from the cell culture harvest is performed in Stages 3 through 8 by a combination of affinity and ion exchange chromatography steps, and steps to inactivate or remove potential virus contamination (solvent/detergent treatment and virus removal filtration). In Stage 3, harvest and/or pooled harvest is clarified and purified using Protein A affinity chromatography. The resultant direct product capture (DPC) eluate is frozen until further processing. DPC eluates are filtered and pooled in Stage 4 following thaw, and subsequently treated in Stage 5 with tri-n-butyl phosphate (TNBP) and polysorbate 80 (PS 80) to inactivate any lipid-enveloped viruses potentially present.

In Stage 6, TNBP and PS 80 reagents and impurities are removed from the golimumab product using cation exchange chromatography. The golimumab product is further purified using anion exchange chromatography in Stage 7 to remove DNA, potentially present viruses, and impurities. In Stage 8, the purified golimumab product is diluted and filtered through a virus retentive filter.

Final preparation of golimumab is performed in Stage 9. The ultrafiltration step concentrates the golimumab product, and the diafiltration step adds the formulation excipients and removes the in-process buffer salts. PS 80 is added, and the intermediate is filtered into polycarbonate containers for frozen storage as formulated bulk (FB).

Detailed Description of Cell Culture in Manufacturing Process Stage 1 Preculture and Expansion

The first stage in the production of Simponi (golimumab) is the initiation of preculture from a Working Cell Bank (WCB) vial of transfected Sp2/0 cells expressing the HC and LC sequences of golimumab and subsequent expansion of the cell culture in culture flasks, disposable culture bags, and 50- or 200-L seed bioreactor. The cells are cultured until the cell density and volume required for inoculation of the 500- or 1000-L production bioreactor are obtained. A flow diagram of Stage 1 depicting the preculture and expansion steps with in-process controls and process monitoring tests are provided in FIG. 19 .

Manufacturing Procedure

A cryovial from the WCB is thawed and diluted to a seeding density of 0.2-0.4×10⁶ viable cells (VC)/mL with chemically defined medium supplemented with 6 mM L-glutamine, 0.5 mg/L mycophenolic acid, 2.5 mg/L hypoxanthine, a n d 50 mg/L xanthine (CD-A medium). Culture viability at thaw must be ≥50%. The initial passage is maintained in culture flask(s) in a humidified CO₂ incubator with temperature and CO₂ controlled. The culture is incubated for 2-3 days until a minimum cell density of 0.6×10⁶ VC/mL is obtained.

Scale-up is accomplished by sequentially expanding the culture in culture flasks and disposable culture bags. Each passage is started at a cell density of 0.2-0.4×10⁶ VC/mL by dilution with CD-A medium. Passages are incubated for 2-3 days at each expansion step until a minimum cell density of 0.6×10⁶ VC/mL is obtained. Once sufficient culture volume is achieved in a disposable culture bag at 0.8×10⁶ VC/mL and 80% culture viability, the culture may be inoculated into the 50- or 200-L seed bioreactor.

Each preculture passage is sampled for viable cell density (VCD), culture viability, and microscopic examination. Prior to inoculation of the 50- or 200-L seed bioreactor, the preculture is sampled for bioburden. Preculture may be maintained for a maximum of 30 days post-thaw. Preculture is terminated if microbial contamination is detected or the maximum duration is exceeded. A back-up preculture may be retained upon inoculation of the seed bioreactor or may be started with a new WCB vial thaw. The back-up preculture is expanded as described above and is subject to the same in-process controls and operating parameters as the primary cultures. A back-up preculture may be maintained and used to inoculate a 50- or 200-L seed bioreactor as needed.

When the preculture meets inoculation criteria, the contents of the disposable culture bag(s) are transferred to the 50- or 200-L seed bioreactor to achieve a seeding density of 0.3×10⁶ VC/mL. The 50- or 200-L seed bioreactor is fed with CD-A culture medium and, at full working volume, is operated in perfusion mode. The culture is controlled for pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen concentration to support cell growth. The 50- or 200-L seed bioreactor culture is expanded until a cell density of ≥2.0×10⁶ VC/mL, at 80% culture viability, is obtained. The 50- or 200-L seed bioreactor culture is sampled throughout the process for VCD, culture viability, and microscopic examination. Prior to inoculation of the 500- or 1000-L production bioreactor, the 50- or 200-L seed bioreactor is sampled for bioburden. If the VCD of the 50- or 200-L seed bioreactor reaches 2.0×10⁶ VC/mL and the 500- or 1000-L production bioreactor is not ready for inoculation, the culture may be continued in perfusion mode up to the maximum culture duration of 6 days post inoculation of the 50-L seed bioreactor and 7 days post inoculation of the 200-L seed bioreactor. The 50- or 200-L seed bioreactor operation is terminated if microbial contamination is detected or the maximum duration is exceeded.

Stage 2 Bioreactor Production

The second stage in the manufacturing process is perfusion cell culture in a 500- or 1000-L production bioreactor. Cell culture permeate (harvest) is collected from the production bioreactor while cells are retained via an alternating tangential flow (ATF) hollow fiber cell-retention device, and the culture is replenished with fresh media. A flow diagram depicting the 500- or 1000-L production bioreactor process is provided in FIG. 20 .

Manufacturing Procedure

The inoculation of the 500-L or 1000-L production bioreactor is performed by transferring the contents of the 50- or 200-L seed bioreactor into the 500- or 1000-L production bioreactor containing chemically defined medium supplemented with 6 mM L-glutamine, 0.5 mg/L mycophenolic acid, 2.5 mg/L hypoxanthine, and 50 mg/L xanthine (CD-A medium). The volume transferred must be sufficient to yield a seeding density of ≥0.3×10⁶ viable cells (VC)/mL. The cultures are maintained at a temperature of 34.0-38.0° C., a pH of 6.80-7.40, and dissolved oxygen concentration of 10-80%. Sampling is performed throughout the 500- or 1000-L production process for viable cell density (VCD), culture viability, bioburden, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration.

After inoculation, the medium feed rate to the culture is increased according to a predetermined schedule until the maximum feed rate is reached. The maximum feed rate is controlled to 0.80-1.50 reactor volumes per day. When the full working volume of the bioreactor is reached, perfusion is initiated using the ATF system to separate cells from the permeate. Permeate is continuously withdrawn through the ATF filter, while cell culture is cycled between the ATF system and the bioreactor. The ATF permeate is collected in bioprocess containers (BPCs).

The medium feed to the bioreactor is switched from CD-A to chemically defined medium supplemented with 6 mM L-glutamine, 0.5 mg/L mycophenolic acid, 2.5 mg/L hypoxanthine, 50 mg/L xanthine, and 10 mM sodium acetate (CD-B medium) when the VCD reaches ≥8.5×10⁶ VC/mL, but no later than Day 15 post inoculation of the 500- or 1000-L production bioreactor. The viable cell density in the bioreactor is controlled to a target of at least 12.0×10⁶ VC/mL by means of a variable biomass removal flow from the culture.

Biomass removed from the bioreactor may be discarded or combined with the ATF permeate and clarified by filtration.

The ATF permeate is designated as the harvest stream. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is added to the harvest stream to a concentration of 5-20 mM. The harvest is stored in bioprocess containers (BPCs) in a 2-8° C. environment for a maximum period of 21 days after disconnection from the bioreactor. Each harvest BPC is sampled for IgG concentration, endotoxin, and bioburden prior to direct product capture (Stage 3).

Perfusion cell culture operation in the 500- or 1000-L production bioreactor continues for up to 60 days post inoculation. On the final day of the 500- or 1000-L production bioreactor operation, the culture is sampled for mycoplasma and adventitious virus testing. The bioreactor IgG concentration is monitored and reported for information only.

Introduction to Manufacturing Control Strategy

A manufacturing control strategy was developed to maintain consistent drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) characteristics of golimumab with regard to oligosaccharide profile and also to control viable cell density (VCD), cell viability (%), and productivity during large-scale commercial production. Golimumab glycosylation is monitored as an in-process control for formulated bulk (FB) at Stage 9 of the manufacturing process, with upper and lower specifications in place for mean % total neutral oligosaccharides, % total charged oligosaccharides, and % individual neutral oligosaccharide species, G0F, G1F, and G2F. As used herein, the terms “drug substance” (abbreviated as “DS”) and “drug product” (abbreviated as “DP”) refer to compositions for use as commercial drugs, for example in clinical trials or as marketed drugs. A DS is an active ingredient that is intended to furnish pharmacological activity or other direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease or to affect the structure or any function of the human body. The formulated bulk (FB) produced in the manufacturing process is the drug substance (DS). A DP (also referred to as a medicinal product, medicine, medication, or medicament) is a drug used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease or to affect the structure or any function of the human body. The DP is the DS that has been prepared as the medicinal product for sale and/or administration to the patient. As used herein, the terms “manufacturing control strategy”, “manufacturing strategy”, “control strategy”, and “method of manufacture”, refer to processes for producing the DS or DP for commercial use, for example in clinical trials or as marketed drugs.

In brief, the manufacturing control strategy ensures that the oligosaccharide profile of golimumab is controlled by culturing cells in chemically defined media that is controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter. As used herein, the term “specified” refers to identifying clearly and definitely that the concentrations of manganese and copper are requirements and must be precisely controlled within upper and lower limits in the chemically defined media. As used herein, the term “controlled” refers to carefully regulating, testing and verifying, e.g., carefully weighing and/or measuring by other means the raw materials containing manganese and copper during production of the media, measuring the final concentrations of manganese and copper in the chemically defined media using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (IPC-MS) or other methods, and if necessary adjusting the concentrations by supplementing the chemically defined media with appropriate amounts of manganese and copper. Another method of control is identifying two or more batches of chemically defined media that can be mixed to achieve the specified concentrations when one or more of the batches are outside the specification. Golimumab DS or DP produced using the present manufacturing control strategy comprises anti-TNF antibodies, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%. The manufacturing control strategy also ensures that viable cell density (VCD), % viability, and productivity in Stage 2 bioreactors are maintained compared to historical values. In a preferred method, manganese and copper concentrations are determined using ICP-MS and the oligosaccharide profiles are determined using an HPLC method.

The control strategy was initiated after recognizing atypical trends in VCD and % viability for golimumab production bioreactor performance at two different manufacturing sites. Affected production bioreactor batches exhibited shouldering at lower VCD (FIG. 23 ) and showed lower % viability for an extended period mainly during late phase (FIG. 24 ) compared to historical trends. In addition, it was recognized that the oligosaccharide profiles for impacted golimumab batches were shifted compared to historical trends. In affected batches of golimumab, the levels of total neutrals and total charged oligosaccharides trended respectively higher and lower than the historical averages but within the specified limits (FIG. 26 ). In addition, further evaluation of the individual oligosaccharide species (FIG. 27 ) demonstrated that the majority of impacted batches had changes in terminal galactose content (e.g., increased agalacto (G0F) and decreased mono-galacto (G1F) and di-galacto (G2F) oligosaccharide species) with a concomitant trend toward decreased sialic acid content in the N-linked oligosaccharide composition resulting in a decrease in negatively charged sialylated species.

After a rigorous investigation, it was concluded that a change in the chemically defined media was the root cause for the change in oligosaccharide profile and shifts in VCD, % viability. More specifically, the investigation demonstrated that surprisingly it was a change in just one of the cell culture media components, FeCl₃.6H₂O (ferric chloride), that was the definitive root cause for the shift in the oligosaccharide profile and shifts in VCD and % viability. In particular, it was determined that a lower trace metal concentration of Mn²⁺ (manganese) in the ferric chloride was the primary root cause for the change in the oligosaccharide profile and a lower trace metal concentration of Cu²⁺ (copper) in the ferric chloride was the primary root cause for the shifts in VCD, % viability and productivity. It was also determined that copper plays a role in determining the oligosaccharide profile and that both manganese and copper concentrations had to be controlled to ensure that the oligosaccharide profile was within specification.

The change in ferric chloride was introduced because of a change in the manufacturing process by the vendor that supplied the ferric chloride that was intended to produce a higher purity iron salt and the investigation revealed that the change resulted in lower trace levels of manganese, chromium and copper that are present as unmeasured impurities in the ferric chloride. Supplementation of media with Mn²⁺ (manganese) and Cr³⁺ (chromium) partially restored the VCD and % viability profile, but Cu²⁺ (copper) supplementation was required to fully restore VCD, % viability and productivity profiles. Initially, it was suspected that the level of Cr³⁺ (chromium) could also be a major factor in the shift in oligosaccharide profile, VCD, and/or % viability, but it was determined later with subsequent small-scale studies that the change in the concentration of manganese was the primary contributing factor for the shift in oligosaccharide profile with copper concentration also playing a role and that copper was the primary contributing factor for the changes in VCD, % viability, and the related change in total productivity.

The manufacturing control strategy remediated the issues associated with changes in oligosaccharide profile, VCD, % viability, and productivity profiles by supplementing the chemically defined media with Mn²⁺ (manganese) and Cu²⁺ (copper). The manufacturing control strategy was implemented in 2 stages at commercial scale. First, the chemically defined media was supplemented with just manganese and chromium to produce media referred to herein as SUP-AGT. Subsequently, SUP-AGT was supplemented with copper based on analysis of historical commercial scale media, referred to herein as Pre-change AGT, and numerous small-scale studies a new SUP-AGT3 media was produced with specified concentrations of manganese and copper.

Methods Methods for Determining Viable Cell Density (VCD) and % Viability

Total cells per/ml, viable cells/ml (VCD), and % viability are typically determined with a Beckman Coulter Vi-CELL-XR cell viability analyzer using manufacturer provided protocols, software and reagents. Alternatively, a CEDEX automated cell counting system has also been used. It should also be noted, however, that other methods for determining VCD and % viability are well known by those skilled in the art, e.g., using a hemocytometer and trypan blue exclusion.

Methods for Determining Oligosaccharide Composition

The oligosaccharide composition of golimumab is determined with an HPLC method using an Agilent 1100/1200 Series HPLC System with Chemstation/Chemstore software. To quantitate the relative amounts of glycans, the N-linked oligosaccharides are first cleaved from the reduced and denatured test article with N-glycanase (PNGase F). The released glycans are labeled using anthranilic acid, purified by filtration using 0.45-μm nylon filters, and analyzed by normal phase anion exchange HPLC with fluorescence detection. The HPLC chromatogram serves as a map that can be used to identify and quantitate the relative amounts of N-linked oligosaccharides present in the sample. Glycans are identified by co-elution with oligosaccharide standards and by retention time in accordance with historical results from extensive characterizations. A representative HPLC chromatogram for a golimumab reference standard is shown FIG. 21 .

The amount of each glycan is quantitated by peak area integration and expressed as a percentage of total glycan peak area (peak area %). Results are reported for G0F, G1F, G2F, total neutrals and total charged glycans. Other neutrals are the sum of all integrated peaks between 17 and 35 minutes, excluding the peaks corresponding to G0F, G1F and G2F. Total neutral glycans is the sum of G0F, G1F, G2F and the other neutrals. Total charged glycans is the sum of all mono-sialylated glycan peaks eluting between 42 and 55 minutes and all di-sialylated glycan peaks eluting between 78 and 90 minutes.

A mixture of oligosaccharide standards (G0F, G2F, G2F+N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) and G2F+2NANA) is analyzed in parallel as a positive control for the labeling reaction, as standards for peak identification, and as a measure of system suitability. Reconstituted oligosaccharides from Prozyme, G0F (Cat. No. GKC-004301), G2F (Cat. No. GKC-024301), SA1F (Cat. No. GKC-124301), and SA2F (Cat. No. GKC-224301), or equivalent, are used as reference standards. A method blank negative control and pre-labeled G0F standard are also run for system suitability purposes. The following system suitability and assay (test article) acceptance criteria are applied during the performance of the oligosaccharide mapping procedure in order to yield a valid result: System Suitability Criteria:

-   -   Resolution (USP) between the G0F and G2F peaks in the         oligosaccharide standard must be ≥3.0.     -   Theoretical plate count (tangent method) of the G0F peak in the         oligosaccharide standards must be ≥5000.     -   The total glycan peak area for the golimumab reference standard         must be ≥1.5 times of the major glycan peak area of the         pre-labeled G0F.     -   If any reference standard glycan peak is off-scale, the         reference standard is re-injected with less injection volume     -   The retention time of G0F peak in the golimumab reference         standard must be within 0.4 min of the G0F retention time in the         oligosaccharide standards.

Assay Acceptance Criteria:

-   -   The method blank must have no detectable peaks that co-elute         with assigned oligosaccharide peaks in golimumab.     -   The total glycan peak area of each test article must be ≥1.5         times the major glycan peak area of the pre-labeled G0F         standard.     -   If any sample glycan peak is off-scale, that sample is         re-injected with less injection volume, together with         pre-labeled G0F, the oligosaccharide standards, Method Blank and         reference standard with normal volume.     -   The retention time for the G0F peak in each test article must be         within 0.4 min of the retention time for the G0F peak in the         oligosaccharide standards.     -   If the assay fails to meet any acceptance criteria, the assay is         invalidated

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is used to quantitate at parts per billion (ppb, pg/liter) trace metal concentrations in the chemically defined media used to produce different batches of golimumab. In brief, the method consists of an acid digestion procedure to digest carbon rich sources to carbon dioxide and water before the sample is injected into an ICP-MS instrument such as the NexION® 350×ICP-MS (PerkinElmer). The wet chemical digestions utilize different acids and oxidizing agents. Preferred combinations include nitric acid (HNO₃), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and hydrochloric acid (HCl). Analytical methods other than ICP-MS can also be used, e.g., flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FLAA), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). General information about analytical procedures, sample preparations, and instrumental methods can be found, for example, in EPA method 3050B, “Acid Digestion of Sediments, Sludges, and Soils”, EPA December 1996; EPA memorandum, “use of Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) in digests for ICP-MS analysis”, EPA office for Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Jul. 26, 2003; and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) chapter <233>, Elemental Impurities-Procedures.

Shown below is a customized digestion method that was developed for use in determining metal concentrations in chemically defined media that is analyzed by ICP-MS. The methods can be adapted to dry media powder or hydrated media samples (1 g sample=1 mL hydrated sample).

Digestion method

-   -   ˜1 g dry samples (±0.5 g, weight recorded to 0.001 g) or ˜1 mL         solution samples (±0.5 mL, weight recorded to 0.001 g) are added         to digestion vessels (applicable spike solutions are also added         at this time)     -   5.0 mL of 50% v/v HNO₃ (nitric acid) and 2.5 mL concentrated         H₂O₂ are added to samples and digestion vessels are then capped         immediately with polypropylene watch glasses—H₂O₂ is added         slowly to avoid sample bubbling over     -   samples are heated for 30 minutes at 95° C. (±5° C.)     -   samples are removed from heat and allowed to cool     -   2.5 mL concentrated HNO₃ is added and samples are heated for 30         minutes at 95° C. (±5° C.). If brown fumes are generated,         indicating oxidation of the sample by HNO₃, the step is repeated         over and over until no brown fumes are given off by the sample.         No brown fumes is an indication of complete oxidation by HNO₃.     -   samples are removed from heat and allowed to cool     -   2.5 mL concentrated HNO₃ and 5 mL concentrated HCl are added and         samples are heated for 2 hours at 95° C. (+5° C.)     -   samples are removed from heat and allowed to cool     -   total volume of samples is brought to 50 mL with dionized water         (DIW) and then samples are ready for analysis     -   Notes:         -   all heating at 95° C. (5° C.) done in reflux, without             boiling, with samples capped with polypropylene watch             glasses, in pre-heated hot block (e.g., Hotblock®)         -   digestion vials are soaked in 5%/5% v/v HNO₃/HCL overnight             and triple rinsed with DIW prior to use         -   polypropylene watch glasses are soaked in 5%/5% v/v HNO₃/HCL             overnight and triple rinsed with DIW prior to use         -   plastic tips for pipetting are triple rinsed with reagent             prior to use         -   samples analyzed by ICP-MS within 2 weeks of digestion         -   methods can also be adapted to automated processes, for             example using the Vulcan Automated Digestion and Work-Up             System (Questron Technologies Corp.)

Reagents and Standards

-   -   deionized water (DIW) tested to be free of metals, >18.0 MΩ     -   trace metals spike standards from NIST traceable sources     -   concentrated HNO₃, reagent grade or higher, tested for metals     -   50% HNO3 solution—500 mL DIW and slowly added 500 mL HNO₃,         solution can be kept for 6 months     -   concentrated HCL, reagent grade or higher, tested for metals     -   concentrated (30% v/v) H₂02     -   all DIW, HNO3, and HCL are tested regularly to ensure there is         no contamination

Capillary Isoelectric Focusing

Capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) separates proteins on the basis of overall charge or isoelectric point (pI). The method is used to monitor the distribution of charge-based isoforms in golimumab. Unlike the gel-based IEF procedures, cIEF provides a quantitative measure of the charged species present. In addition, cIEF shows increased resolution, sensitivity, and reproducibility compared to the gel-based method. The cIEF procedure separates 4 to 6 charge-based isoforms of Simponi (golimumab) with nearly baseline resolution, while IEF gel analysis separates only 4 to 5 species with partial resolution. A representative cIEF electropherogram of golimumab is shown in FIG. 22 , with the four major peaks labeled as C, 1, 2, and 3 and minor peak labeled B. A graphic representing the general relationship between cIEF peaks and decreasing negative charge/degree of sialylation is also shown.

The cIEF assay is performed on a commercially available imaging cIEF analyzer equipped with an autosampler able to maintain sample temperature ≤10.5° C. in an ambient environment of ≤30° C., such as the Alcott autosampler (GP Instruments, Inc.). The analysis employs an inner wall-coated silica capillary without an outer wall polyimide coating to allow for whole column detection. In addition, an anolyte solution of dilute phosphoric acid and methylcellulose, a catholyte solution of sodium hydroxide and methylcellulose, and a defined mixture of broad range (pH 3-10) and narrow range (pH 8-10.5) ampholytes are used. The assay employs a pre-treatment of both test articles and Reference Standard (RS) with carboxypeptidase B (CPB) which removes the heavy chain C-terminal lysine and eliminates ambiguities introduced by the presence of multiple C-terminal variants.

Before each analysis, the autosampler temperature set-point is set to 4° C. and the autosampler is pre-cooled for at least 30 minutes and the ambient room temperature of the lab is maintained ≤30° C. The pre-treated test article and RS, sample vials, vial inserts, the reagents used in the assay including purified water, the parent solution containing N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) (which optimizes focusing within the capillary), ampholytes, pI 7.6 and 9.5 markers for internal standards and methylcellulose (MC) are kept on ice for at least 30 minutes before starting sample preparation. The samples are prepared on ice and the time of addition of the parent solution is recorded and exposure to TEMED is controlled. The assay must be completed within 180 minutes after this addition. System suitability controls are injected once and test articles and RS are injected twice following the sequence table below (Table 6):

TABLE 6 Sample Running Sequence Sample Name Sample Vial Position Number of Injections System Suitability 1 1 Blank 2 1 CPB Control 3 1 CPB Treated RS 4 2 CPB Treated Sample 1 5 2 CPB Treated RS 6 2

After the samples are injected into the capillary by a syringe pump, an electric field (3 kV) is applied across the capillary for 8 min, forming a pH gradient, and charge-based isoforms of golimumab are separated according to their isoelectric point (pI). The protein isoforms in the capillary are detected by imaging the entire capillary at 280 nm, and the data are presented in the form of an electropherogram as a function of pI value vs A280. Values for pI are assigned by comparison to the internal pI standards (pI 7.6 and 9.5) using the instrument software, and peak areas are determined from the electropherogram using standard data acquisition software. The average pI and average peak area percentage from duplicate injections of all peaks ≥LOQ, the ΔpI value compared to Reference Standard, and the sum of percent area of peaks C, 1, 2, and 3 are reported.

Characterization of Golimumab cIEF Isoforms

The reference cIEF profile of golimumab contains four major peaks labeled as C, 1, 2, and 3 and minor peak B as shown in the representative electropherogram (FIG. 22 ). For golimumab, the major source of variability in the cIEF profile is the deamidation and isomerization of heavy chain asparagine 43 (HC Asn43). Basic Peak 3 in cIEF represents non-deamidated HC Asn43 as well as deamidated heavy chain isoaspartic acid 43 (HC isoAsp43), while the more acidic peaks represent deamidated HC Asp43 and degree of sialylation. The predicted identities of the different cIEF peaks are listed in Table 7. The cIEF assay is used as a general monitor of charge heterogeneity for golimumab and a different assay is used as the primary assay to monitor deamidation.

TABLE 7 Predicted Identities for Peaks Observed in cIEF Electropherogram of FB^(a) cIEF Peak Identity of Major Species Identity of Minor Species B 2 HC Asp43, 2 SA HC Asp43, HC isoAsp43, 3 SA 2 HC isoAsp43, 4 SA C 2 HC Asp43, 1 SA HC Asp43, HC isoAsp43, 2 SA 2 HC isoAsp43, 3 SA 1 2 HC Asp43 HC Asp43, HC isoAsp43, 1 SA 2 HC isoAsp43, 2 SA 2 HC Asp43, HC isoAsp43 2 HC isoAsp43, 1 SA HC Asp43, HC Asn43 3 2 HC isoAsp43 HC isoAsp43, HC Asn43 ^(a)SA is sialic acid; variants containing HC Asn43 in place of Asp43 or isoAsp43 are also present at low levels, but are not included in the table.

Deviating Cell Culture Profiles

In Stage 2 of the cell culture process the duration of the production in 500 liter or 1,000 liter bioreactors is 60 consecutive days. In the controlled manufacturing process, the bioreactor is inoculated at a viable cell density (VCD) of 0.3 million cells per ml or higher and then the VCD increases exponentially until 13-14 million cells per ml. At this point, the exponential cell growth stops and it is followed by a lower rate of cell growth. The transition from exponential growth to lower rate growth (see arrows in FIG. 23 ) is herein referred to as “shouldering”. As noted above, the VCD and % culture viability are shifted in deviant cell culture batches as shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 , respectively.

In the bioreactors with a VCD shift, the VCD shouldering occurred earlier in the process: the cells grew exponentially until 8-13 million cells per ml and then started shouldering earlier in the process. In addition, in most of the bioreactors, the earlier shouldering was followed by a deep dip in the VCD profile. As a consequence, the target VCD of 16.0 million cells per ml was reached later in the bioreactor production cycle, at around stage day 40-50. As a consequence of reaching the target cell density later in the process, the biomass removal started later and therefore the % culture viability was lower at the end of the production cycle than typical historical batches. Thus, the viability in the shifted bioreactors stayed at around 20-40% at the end of the bioreactor process, see FIG. 24 . However, none of the bioreactors showing a shift in % culture viability reached the termination criteria (<8% viability for three consecutive days).

In addition, the change in VCD and % culture viability in deviant cell culture batches resulted in a decrease in productivity as measured by the cumulative amount of IgG produced (FIG. 34 ).

Deviating Oligosaccharide Profile

Golimumab is N-glycosylated at a single site on each heavy chain, on asparagine 306. These N-linked oligosaccharide structures can be any in a group of biantennary oligosaccharide structures linked to the protein through the primary amine of the asparagine residue, but on golimumab they consist primarily of biantennal core-fucosylated species, with galactose and sialic acid heterogeneity. Individual oligosaccharide species include “G0F”, an asialo, agalacto core-fucosylated biantennary glycan, “GIF”, an asialo, mono-galacto core-fucosylated biantennary glycan, and “G2F”, an asialo, di-galacto core-fucosylated biantennary glycan. Golimumab glycosylation is monitored as an in-process control during Stage 9 of manufacturing, with specifications in place for total neutral oligosaccharides, total charged oligosaccharides, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F, G1F, and G2F. A diagrammatic overview of some of the primary N-linked oligosaccharide species in golimumab IgG is shown in FIG. 25 . The role of some of the enzymes in the glycosylation maturation process, including roles of some divalent cations (e.g. Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺) in these enzymatic processes are also shown.

During the investigation of the impact of the change in culture performance, changes in total neutral and charged oligosaccharides and the levels of individual oligosaccharides of the golimumab molecule were evaluated. The raw chromatograms and further data analysis indicated that while the formulated bulk (FB) for the deviating batches were within the specification for % total neutral and total charged oligosaccharides, the majority of batches were clearly above and below the historic means for total neutral and total charged oligosaccharides, respectively (FIG. 26 ). Furthermore, there were significant shifts in the levels of the individual neutral oligosaccharides that were outside of the specifications. In fact, the majority of deviating batches of FB showed a shift outside the specifications for the G0F, G1F and G2F species (FIG. 27 ).

Reducing changes in the oligosaccharide profile are critical, because changes in the oligosaccharide profile of a recombinant monoclonal antibody can significantly affect antibody biological functions. For example, biological studies have shown that the distribution of different glycoforms on the Fc region can significantly impact antibody efficacy, stability, and effector function (J. Biosci. Bioeng. 2014 117(5):639-644; Bio-Process Int. 2011, 9(6):48-53; Nat. Rev. Immunol. 2010, 10(5):345-352). In particular, afucosylation (J. Mol. Biol. 368:767-779) and galactosylation (Biotechnol. Prog. 21:1644-1652) can play a huge role in the antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), two important mechanisms by which antibodies mediate killing target cells through the immune function. In addition, high mannose levels have been shown to adversely affect efficacy by increasing clearance of the antibody (Glycobiology. 2011, 21(7):949-959) and sialic acid content can affect anti-inflammatory activity (Antibodies. 2013 2(3):392-414). As a result of these biological consequences from changes in the oligosaccharide profile, regulatory agencies require control of the antibody glycosylation pattern to ensure adherence to lot release specifications for a consistent, safe and effective product.

Identifying the Problem

After a rigorous and comprehensive investigation, it was concluded that a change in the chemically defined media was the root cause for the shifts in oligosaccharide profiles, VCD, % viability and productivity. This chemically defined media is obtained as a powder that is produced by advanced granulation technology (AGT) and is generally referred to herein as AGT. More specifically, the root cause investigation demonstrated that a change in, FeCl₃.6H₂O (ferric chloride), one of greater than ninety components in the AGT, was the definitive root cause for the shifts in oligosaccharide profiles, VCD % viability and productivity. It was determined that the ferric chloride supplier had changed its manufacturing process with the stated intention to produce a higher purity iron salt. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the change resulted in lower trace levels of manganese, chromium and copper that are present as unmeasured impurities in the ferric chloride. The manganese, chromium and copper are added to the AGT formulation as measured components, but the amounts adventitiously associated with the ferric chloride were not accounted for. Thus, these circumstances resulted in a reduction in the total manganese, chromium, and copper levels in the AGT.

Remediation with Supplemented AGT Media

Development of SUP-AGT

Preliminary small-scale studies indicated that supplementing the media with manganese and chromium could shift the oligosaccharide profiles back toward historical norms (data not shown). Based on those preliminary small-scale studies, a change was implemented to restore historical levels of manganese and chromium to produce commercial batches of golimumab by supplementing the AGT with manganese and chromium. The manganese and chromium salts used to supplement the media were already part of the existing media formulation but added at lower concentrations, so it was a matter of supplementing the media with more manganese and chromium salts to produce chemically defined media containing specified limits of Mn²⁺ (manganese) and chromium.

This AGT media supplemented with manganese and chromium is referred to herein as SUP-AGT. The SUP-AGT media powder was produced at large-scale and subsequently used to produce golimumab at commercial scale at different manufacturing sites in 500 liter and 1000 liter bioreactors. Evaluation of batches of golimumab produced using the SUP-AGT media showed that SUP-AGT did not fully restore VCD, % viability, and productivity, but it was effective at restoring the historical oligosaccharide profile, e.g., the levels of G0F, G1F, G2F (data not shown).

The effects on the levels of G0F, G1F, G2F aligns with current literature showing an established relationship with 3-1,4 galactosyltransferase (GalTI) activity, the co-factor Mn²⁺, and glycosylation (FIG. 25 , and see e.g., Biotechnol Bioeng. 2007 Feb. 15; 96(3):538-49 and Curr Drug Targets. 2008 April; 9(4):292-309). GalTI is a membrane bound enzyme located in the trans-Golgi membrane. GalTI is activated by Mn²⁺ as a co-factor as it functions within the glycosylation cascade. In this cascade, GalTI adds galactose residues to the core oligosaccharide structure G0F. The reaction products are G1F when one galactose residue is added or G2F when a second galactose residue is added to the N-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) terminals of G0F. The increase in the charged oligosaccharide groups using SUP-AGT aligns with the observed reduction of G0F and the increase of G1F and G2F as the latter two are the main precursors for the formation of SA1 and SA2 oligosaccharides. This sialylation reaction is catalyzed by 0-galactoside α-2,6-sialyltransferase (ST6GaIII) (FIG. 25 ) which is a membrane bound enzyme also located in the trans Golgi. Since Mn²⁺ is one of the main co-factors for G1F and G2F formation, and G1F and G2F formation are the main precursors for negatively charged SA1 and SA2 formation, decreased concentrations of Mn²⁺ could have a concomitant effect on the degree of sialylation and charged species. The findings from this study support the hypothesis that the changes in the Mn²⁺ concentrations in AGT, due to the changes associated with a purer form of ferric chloride, was the root cause for the changes/trends in oligosaccharide performance.

Development of SUP-AGT3

The shifts in golimumab oligosaccharide profiles were successfully remediated by implementing the change to SUP-AGT media containing higher concentrations of manganese and chromium, however, the change to SUP-AGT did not fully restore VCD % viability and productivity to within historic trends. Analysis during the investigation indicated that reduced Cu²⁺ (copper) levels were the most probable root cause for the shifts in VCD and % viability, so reduced scale studies were designed to evaluate the effect of supplementing SUP-AGT media with copper.

Trace element solutions containing copper were used to support a series of reduced-scale study experiments with SUP-AGT spiked with copper added at levels of 0.3 ppb (0.3 μg/liter), 0.75 ppb (0.75 μg/liter), and 1.5 ppb (1.5 μg/liter). A control with no copper supplementation was also included. The targeted copper concentration for the standard un-supplemented AGT media was 0.83 ppb. The reduced scale studies demonstrated a dose dependent effect, with increasing copper concentrations associated with increasing VCD, % viability, and productivity (data not shown). The results of the reduced scale studies were also compared to historical norms and it was determined that although higher concentrations of copper tended to improve VCD and % viability, supplementation of SUP-AGT with 0.3 ug/liter of copper showed performance closest to the historical mean.

The effect of copper concentration on the oligosaccharide profile was also evaluated with small-scale studies, which showed that copper concentration had a significant dose dependent effect on product glycoform profile, with increasing concentrations associated with increasing levels of G0F and total neutrals (FIG. 28 ) and decreasing levels of G1F and G2F (data not shown). As noted on FIG. 25 , it's known that copper has an inhibitory effect on ß-1-4 galactosyltransferase activity and therefore could have an inhibitory effect on glycosylation (see, e.g., J Biochem Mol Biol. 2002 May 31; 35(3):330-6). It should be noted that this is the opposite of the effect of manganese, which was demonstrated to enhance glycosylation with increasing concentration leading to decreasing levels of G0F and total neutrals. Thus, it was concluded that both copper and manganese concentrations would have to be controlled within ranges that ensure the oligosaccharide profile for golimumab is maintained, but also with sufficient copper to support optimal cell growth, viability, and productivity.

With additional small-scale studies and multiple regression analysis of the results from experiments varying the concentrations of both manganese and copper, it was determined that variation in G0F and variation in total neutrals could be explained by regression models with manganese and copper as the X variables. These data were then used to find optimal concentrations for manganese and copper that would ensure that the golimumab produced had an oligosaccharide profile within specification and also ensure that VCD, % viability, and productivity were within historical norms. The optimal trace metal concentrations for the chemically defined media were determined to be Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter.

As the analysis about supplementing the media was being completed, a new version of the AGT media was developed by the manufacturer. Relative to the previous version of the media, the manufacturing process for the new media was reported to be optimized around the sequence of addition of polyamine and ethanolamine constituents with the desired effect of improving shelf life stability. The new media is referred to herein as AGT version 3 (AGT3) and is considered a next generation media by Thermo Fisher Inc. This new media, however, has the same characteristics with regard to the source of the ferric chloride. As a result, it also has the same problem of having lower concentrations of the trace metals of Mn²⁺ (manganese) and copper (Cu²⁺). Thus, SUP-AGT3 was created by supplementing the new AGT3 media to contain specified and controlled concentrations of Mn²⁺ (manganese) and Cu²⁺ (copper).

A number of different sources of manganese and copper can be used to achieve the specified limits. Sources of manganese appropriate for use in the present invention include, for example, one or more of MnCl₂, MnSO₄, MnF₂ and MnI₂. Sources of copper appropriate for use in the present invention include, for example, one or more of CuSO₄, CuCl₂, and Cu(OAc)₂. These sources of manganese and copper can be anhydrous or hydrated forms, e.g., dihydrate, tetrahydrate, or pentahydrate forms. A preferred source of manganese includes a combination of MnCl₂ (manganese chloride) and MnSO₄ (manganese sulfate). A preferred source of copper is CuSO₄ (copper sulfate). An advantage in using MnCl₂, MnSO₄, and CuSO₄ as supplements in AGT3 is that these components are already part of the AGT3 formulation at lower concentrations, so no new or different components were added in the SUP-AGT3 formulation. Specified and controlled limits for manganese and copper were established based on historical data, and the numerous small-scale studies. For Mn²⁺ (manganese), the specified and controlled limits are ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and for Cu²⁺ (copper), the limits are ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter.

Evaluation of Manganese, Chromium, and Copper Levels

An Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry assay (ICP-MS) was used to evaluate manganese, chromium, and copper levels in different batches of media including SUP-AGT3, historical “Pre-change” AGT media before the change in ferric chloride, “Post-change” AGT media used in production of the deviating batches of golimumab, and SUP-AGT. Data for trace metal concentrations for manganese, chromium, and copper levels for different batches of media are shown in FIG. 29 , FIG. 30 , and FIG. 31 , respectively. Note that an individual batch of media is combined with one or more other batches of media for production of golimumab at large scale. This has the general effect of homogenizing some of the batch to batch variation of the media, but may not correct for larger variations that are outside of the specification for manganese and copper if the concentrations are not controlled.

The concentration of manganese in all SUP-AGT3 batches was well within the specified and controlled limits of Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/L to ≤35.0 μg/L that was applied for all SUP-AGT3 batches and also within the range of historical Pre-change AGT batches (FIG. 29 ). Thus, it was concluded that the concentration of manganese in SUP-AGT3 is well controlled and within the range of historical pre-change AGT.

Except for two early batches of the SUP-AGT3 media, the concentration of copper was also well within the specified and controlled limits of Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/L to ≤1.8 μg/L (FIG. 31 ). The out of specification situation for the two affected batches of SUP-AGT3 media was easily remedied by mixing those batches with other different batches of SUP-AGT3 media to obtain media for use in manufacturing golimumab that was within the specification. Thus, it was concluded that the copper concentration for SUP-AGT3 is well controlled. Note that the two batches of historical pre-change AGT media that were out of specification were combined with other batches of media as a matter of routine, so the combined batches were also within the specification during production of golimumab with historical pre-change AGT. Also note that many of the Post-change AGT batches had values less than the limit of detection of the assay for copper (1 μg/L) and these values are represented graphically as μg/L in FIG. 31 .

Commercial Batch Manufacture with SUP-AGT3

Oligosaccharide Profile Using SUP-AGT3

Based on the positive results for trace metal analysis, SUP-AGT3 was introduced into the golimumab commercial manufacturing process at different production facilities using 500 liter or 1000 liter bioreactors. The medium was used for all cell culture steps, from Stage 1 (preculture and seed bioreactor) through to Stage 2 (production bioreactor process) and DPC generated for the different bioreactors were used to produce 3 different batches of golimumab. As shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 (last 3 data points in each figure), golimumab produced with SUP-AGT3 comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%.

Stage 2 Cell-Culture Process Performance and Productivity

To evaluate production bioreactor performance for the SUP-AGT3 batches, VCD, % viability, and cumulative IgG levels for different SUP-AGT3 bioreactor batches were compared to the mean for pre-change AGT batches and the mean for post-change AGT batches. The data show that production with SUP-AGT3 restored VCD and % viability to near the historical mean (FIG. 32 and FIG. 33 , respectively). Furthermore, production of golimumab with SUP-AGT3 restored overall productivity as measured by cumulative IgG (FIG. 34 ).

Conclusion

Thus, as described supra, a manufacturing control strategy was developed to maintain consistent drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) characteristics of golimumab with regard to oligosaccharide profile and also to control viable cell density (VCD), % viability, and productivity during large-scale production. A DS or DP produced by the methods of the present invention comprises mammalian anti-TNF antibodies having a heavy chain (HC) comprising SEQ ID NO:36 and a light chain (LC) comprising SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%. The oligosaccharide profile of DS and DP is controlled by using chemically defined media specified and controlled to contain trace metal concentrations consisting of Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter. Furthermore, the manufacturing control strategy also maintains viable cell density (VCD), % viability, and productivity of cells during golimumab production as compared to historical norms. Golimumab oligosaccharide profiles were determined using an HPLC method and manganese and copper concentrations of the media were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). 

What is claimed is:
 1. An anti-TNF antibody comprising: (i) a heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) a light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibody comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, and wherein the anti-TNF antibody is produced by a method of manufacture that controls the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibody, the method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibody in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibody.
 2. The anti-TNF antibody of claim 1, wherein the anti-TNF antibody is a follow-on biologic.
 3. A method of manufacture for producing a drug substance (DS) or drug product (DP) comprising an anti-TNF antibody comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibody is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibody comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, and wherein the anti-TNF antibody is produced by a method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibody in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibody.
 4. The method of manufacture of claim 3, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper in the chemically defined medium are determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper in the chemically defined medium are controlled by supplementing the chemically defined medium with one or more sources of manganese and copper, wherein the one or more sources of manganese are selected from the group consisting of: MnCl₂, MnSO₄, MnF₂ and MnI₂ and the one or more sources of copper are selected from the group consisting of: CuSO₄, CuCl₂, and Cu(OAc)₂.
 6. The method of manufacture of claim 3, wherein the oligosaccharide species are determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).
 7. The method of manufacture of claim 3, wherein the eukaryotic cells are selected from the group consisting of: Chinese hamster vary cells (CHO cells), human retinal cells (PER.C6 cells), and mouse myeloma cells (NS0 cells and Sp2/0 cells).
 8. The method of manufacture of claim 7, wherein the anti-TNF antibody comprises a follow-on biologic.
 9. A composition comprising anti-TNF antibodies comprising: (i) the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and (ii) the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, wherein the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies is controlled and the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies comprises total neutral oligosaccharide species ≥82.0% to ≤94.4%, total charged oligosaccharide species ≥5.6% to ≤18.0%, and individual neutral oligosaccharide species G0F ≥25.6% to ≤42.2%, G1F ≥31.2% to ≤43.6%, and G2F ≥5.6% to ≤14.2%, and wherein the anti-TNF antibodies are produced by a method of manufacture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells in chemically defined medium controlled to contain specified trace metal concentrations of manganese and copper consisting of, Mn²⁺ (manganese) ≥10.0 μg/liter to ≤35.0 μg/liter and Cu²⁺ (copper) ≥1.0 μg/liter to ≤1.8 μg/liter; and expressing the anti-TNF antibodies in the eukaryotic cells, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper are effective at controlling the oligosaccharide profile of the anti-TNF antibodies.
 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper in the chemically defined medium are determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
 11. The composition of claim 9, wherein the concentrations of manganese and copper in the chemically defined medium are controlled by supplementing the chemically defined medium with one or more sources of manganese and copper, wherein the one or more sources of manganese are selected from the group consisting of: MnCl₂, MnSO₄, MnF₂ and MnI₂ and the one or more sources of copper are selected from the group consisting of: CuSO₄, CuCl₂, and Cu(OAc)₂.
 12. The composition of claim 9, wherein the oligosaccharide species are determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).
 13. The composition of claim 9, wherein the eukaryotic cells are selected from the group consisting of: Chinese hamster vary cells (CHO cells), human retinal cells (PER.C6 cells), and mouse myeloma cells (NS0 cells and Sp2/0 cells).
 14. The composition of claim 9, wherein the anti-TNF antibodies comprise a follow-on biologic. 